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PGA Tour Player Michael Brennan Disqualified Over Controversial Rule at Farmers Insurance Open

PGA Tour Player Michael Brennan Disqualified Over Controversial Rule at Farmers Insurance Open
Michael Brennan was disqualified on the PGA Tour due to a rules violation. (Photo: Getty)

Michael Brennan was disqualified by the PGA Tour at the Farmers Insurance Open due to a controversial rule after round one.

Disqualification After Round One on the PGA Tour

In a surprising turn at the Farmers Insurance Open, Michael Brennan was disqualified following the first round. The PGA Tour confirmed a violation of the so-called Model Rule G-11, as Brennan used unauthorized materials to analyze the greens. From the Tour’s perspective, this was a clear breach of regulations.

At the time of disqualification, the winner of the 2025 Bank of Utah Championship stood at two under par, tied for 55th place.

What the ‘Model Rule G-11’ Permits and Prohibits

The rule, effective since January 2022, significantly limits the use of analytical aids. Only PGA Tour-approved yardage books, official flagstick location information, and a course overview no larger than A4 size are allowed.

Handwritten notes are permitted only if made by the player or their caddie, based solely on personal observations, such as rolled or played balls or subjective putting green impressions. Detailed measurements or analyses created by others are explicitly forbidden.

The regulation initially imposes a two-stroke penalty for a first offense, with disqualification following upon a subsequent violation. The PGA Tour has not disclosed when Brennan’s infractions occurred.

A Rule That Sparks Debate

The Model Rule G-11 has been a subject of discussion since its introduction. In 2022, Rory McIlroy, then-president of the players’ council, defended the rule strongly, stating many players had become too reliant on reading the greens. “It’s not a huge advantage,” McIlroy said, “but it takes away a skill that requires time and practice. Reading greens is an art, and these aids negate individual strengths and advantages.”

Alex Cejka, a German player, was also disqualified under this rule in 2022 for using an unauthorized yardage book.