Golf Channel · Jun 28, 2019
Clarke penalized at U.S. Senior Open after bird-feeder incident
U.S. Senior Open: Clarke penalized for caddie removing birdhouse
0:0022:42Darren Clarke’s U.S. Senior Open debut came with some controversy.
Clarke shot 3-over 73 Thursday at Notre Dame’s Warren Golf Course, but that round included a two-shot penalty after Clarke’s caddie tried to remove a bird feeder that was in Clarke’s line of play.
According to Rule 15.2, free relief is allowed from movable obstructions but not from immovable obstructions, which is what bird feeders are considered at the Warren Golf Course. Also, Rule 16.1 allows free relief from immovable obstructions and other abnormal course conditions but only if it interferes with lie, stance or a ball on the putting surface.