Michael Brennan was disqualified by the PGA Tour at the Farmers Insurance Open due to a controversial rule after round one.
Disqualification After First Round on the PGA Tour
In a shocking turn of events at the Farmers Insurance Open, Michael Brennan was disqualified after the first round. The PGA Tour confirmed he violated the so-called Model Rule G-11 by using unauthorized materials for green reading analysis, which the Tour views as a clear breach of the rules.
At the time of disqualification, the 2025 Bank of Utah Championship winner was tied for 55th place at two under par.
What Model Rule G-11 Allows and Forbids
Effective since January 2022, this rule restricts the use of analytical aids significantly. Only PGA Tour-approved yardage books, official pin location information, and a course overview no larger than DIN A4 format are permitted.
Any handwritten notes must be made solely by the player or their caddie based on personal observations, such as rolled or played ball behavior and subjective impressions of the putting green. Detailed measurements or third-party green analyses are explicitly prohibited.
The rule initially imposes a penalty of two strokes for a first offense; disqualification occurs only after a subsequent violation. The PGA Tour has not disclosed when Brennan’s infractions happened.
A Rule Sparking Debate
Model Rule G-11 has been controversial since its introduction. In 2022, then-PGA Tour Player Advisory Council President Rory McIlroy defended it strongly, citing increasing player reliance on aids diminishing the art of green reading. “It’s not a huge advantage,” McIlroy said, “but it removes a skill that requires time and practice. Green reading is an art, and these aids negate individual strengths and skills.”
German player Alex Cejka also faced disqualification in 2022 for using a non-approved yardage book following this rule’s enforcement.
Hole locations for the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open pic.twitter.com/P4L6jEz39B
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) January 31, 2026