ASU golf coach removed from Augusta National for violating long-standing dress code rule
Augusta National Golf Club has several rules for its golfers and patrons, both stated and unwritten.
Arizona State University men's golf coach Matt Thurmond learned about one of those rules the hard way this week ahead of the 2025 Masters tournament.
Thurmond, who has been with the Sun Devils since 2016, was removed from the golf course during a practice session on Tuesday after he went to say hello to former ASU player Kevin Yu, who is making his Masters debut this year.
The reason for his removal? Thurmond was wearing shorts on the course.
"I went out on the range without thinking, gave him a hug," Thurmond said, via Golfweek. "After about one shot and one quick hello, they came out and said 'I'm sorry, sir, you can't be on the range with your shorts.'"
Violating what many call the "golden rule" of Augusta National is one of the stricter rules of the storied club. While patrons are free to wear shorts, beyond the ropes where players and coaches can be, full-length pants are required.
"My bad, it was a mistake I made," Thurmond later said, via Golfweek. "I want to follow the rules here when I'm at Augusta and do everything right. Lucky to be here and appreciate everything here. I just made a mistake."
Thurmond is in Georgia this weekend to support ASU senior Josele Ballester, who earned his exemption to compete at the Masters after winning the U.S. Amateur in August.
Wearing pants on the course is not the only rule at Augusta.
No cell phones on the grounds and referring to fans as patrons are among the most known, but several golfers recently dished to Golfweek about some of the lesser known and unspoken rules.
Wearing socks to dinner, not pairing the iconic green jacket with jeans, and not sitting on the range are just a few that were mentioned.
Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
39 minutes ago
- New York Post
Bryson DeChambeau narrowly evades massive rules blunder at US Open
This wasn't the start defending U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau likely envisioned. The two-time major winner almost committed a massive rules gaffe Thursday as the 2025 U.S. Open got underway at Oakmont Country Club, when his shot out of the bunker on the par-5 fourth hole landed on a crosswalk and he opted to take free relief. The drama unfolded as DeChambeau placed the ball on the ground at the nearest point of relief instead of taking the drop — with a rules official signaling the mistake. Upon learning he would be assessed a one-stroke penalty, the LIV Golf star made the proper drop to avoid a violation. 'That was dumb,' DeChambeau muttered as he continued to play and ultimately parred the hole. DeChambeau, looking to capture his second straight U.S. Open title, finished the opening round with two birdies and five bogeys for a score of 3-over 73. 4 Bryson DeChambeau didn't get off to a smooth start at the 2025 U.S. Open. Getty Images He will tee off in Friday's second round at 1:14 p.m. ET with Xander Schauffele and newly signed LIV golfer Jose Luis Ballester. DeChambeau, 31, was one of several of the sport's biggest stars who struggled at the Pittsburgh-area course Thursday. 4 Bryson DeChambeau shot out of the bunker on the par-5 fourth hole at Oakmont Country Club on June 12, 2025. Getty Images 4 The two-time U.S. Open champ then conversed with a rules official over a drop. Getty Images Rory McIlroy, just two months removed from completing golf's grand slam with his Masters win in April, shot a 4-over 74 and skipped out on the media afterward. The Northern Irishman's close pal, Shane Lowry, had a round to forget after shooting a 9-over 79 that included a microphone-tossing meltdown. J.J. Spaun finished Thursday atop the leaderboard with a bogey-free 4-under 66. 4 Bryson DeChambeau finished the first round with a 3-over 73. Getty Images DeChambeau has been in the hunt the past two majors this season, tying for fifth at the Masters and tying for second at last month's PGA Championship, where Scottie Scheffler won his third career major.
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Justin Thomas' birdie putt turns into treacherous double-bogey at U.S. Open
OAKMONT, Pa. – Justin Thomas is going to need a hug when his second round of the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club is over. That's because his 22-foot birdie putt at the par-5 12th hole turned from a chance to kick-start a comeback after a sloppy 6-over 76 on Thursday into a momentum-crushing, shoot-me-now double-bogey 7. On second thought, a hug from wife Jill might not be enough. Hopefully, daughter Molly is there too. Advertisement Oakmont's greens are among the most treacherous putting surfaces in all of golf. Thomas's misadventures at No. 12 could be exhibit A for why Oakmont's greens will break many a golfer this week. Check out the video of JT's power lipouts from his 4-putt. Golf can be cruel. This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Justin Thomas' birdie putt turns into double-bogey at U.S. Open
New York Post
3 hours ago
- New York Post
Patrick Reed has bizarre take on his amazing US Open shot: ‘Doesn't mean jack'
Patrick Reed hit the rarest shot in golf on a big-time stage — but he wasn't impressed. The former Masters champ hit the albatross on the 622-yard, par-5 fourth hole at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club Thursday, knocking his second shot from 286 yards into the hole with a 3-wood. The ridiculous shot was just the fourth albatross in the U.S. Open since the tournament began keeping records 42 years ago, but Reed played it cool afterwards nonetheless. Advertisement 'There's 71 other holes we have to play,' Reed said after his round. 'One hole doesn't mean jack, to be honest with you.' When a reporter replied, 'To our readers, it actually means a little…' Reed cut them off, saying: 'It was a 3-wood I hit from 287, and it went in.' Advertisement Patrick Reed playing a shot during the first round of the U.S. Open on Thursday. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Despite his historic shot, Reed may have been irked after going on to shoot a 3-over 73 in the opening round, including a triple bogey on the 18th. The Athletic's Gabby Herzig did note that Reed 'got a lot happier' over the rest of what was an eight-minute post-round interview. Advertisement When the albatross dropped in, Reed raised his arms in bewilderment before making a pointing motion to ask if the ball had gone in, since the golfer didn't have a view of the green from where he shot. Once he realized what had happened, he gave an incredulous smile as if to say: 'I'll take it.' Patrick Reed said his albatross at the U.S. Open Thursday 'doesn't men jack.' Reed, 34, joins T.C. Chen (1985 at Oakland Hills), Shaun Micheel (2010 at Pebble Beach) and Nick Watney (2012 at Olympic) as the only golfers to hit a recorded albatross at the U.S. Open. Advertisement There are only a few hundred albatrosses per year globally, compared to more than 30,000 holes-in-one each year. After his round, Reed noted that this was the third albatross of his career.
