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Debate rages on: Putting with flagstick in 'sacrilege' at Augusta?

AUGUSTA, Ga. – The new Rules of Golf that were introduced this year have been endlessly dissected, but next week’s Masters promises to rekindle at least one part of the debate.

Since the start of the year, players have been asked their thoughts on putting with the flagstick in the hole - which was a change initially aimed at speeding up play but has become a competitive game-changer for some.

“It will be different, but we’ve watched it all year on Tour. Times change,” shrugged Mark O’Meara, the 1998 Masters champion.

Some have been critical of the new rule - particularly at Augusta National - and on Sunday Adam Scott, who is among a growing number of players who putt with the flag in, was asked if he thought the act was “sacrilege?