Michael Brennan was disqualified by the PGA Tour at the Farmers Insurance Open due to a controversial rule after the first round.
Disqualification After First Round on the PGA Tour
A shocking event at the Farmers Insurance Open: Michael Brennan was disqualified after 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. The Tour considers this a clear rules breach.
At the time of disqualification, the 2025 Bank of Utah Championship winner was tied for 55th place at two strokes under par.
What the “Model Rule G-11” Allows and Prohibits
Effective since January 2022, this rule significantly restricts the use of analytical aids. Only PGA Tour-approved yardage books, official information on pin positions, and a course overview no larger than A4 size are permitted.
Handwritten notes may only be made by the player or their caddie and must be based on their own observations, including looking at rolled or played balls and subjective impressions of the putting green. Detailed measurements or analyses created by others are explicitly prohibited.
The rule initially enforces a two-stroke penalty for violations, with disqualification occurring only after a subsequent breach. The PGA Tour has not disclosed when Brennan committed the infractions.
A Rule with Debate Potential
Model Rule G-11 has sparked discussions since its inception. In 2022, Rory McIlroy, then president of the Players Council, defended the regulation, stating many players had become too reliant on aids when reading greens. “It’s not a huge advantage,” said McIlroy, “but it takes away a skill that requires time and practice. Green reading is an art, and these tools nullify individual strengths and advantages.”
German player Alex Cejka also faced disqualification in 2022 due to an unauthorized yardage book shortly after the rule was introduced.
Hole locations for the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open pic.twitter.com/P4L6jEz39B
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) January 31, 2026