SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Denny McCarthy was taking a few practice swings as he prepared to hit a 67-yard wedge shot into the par-5 15th green Friday at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. His playing competitor, Blair Hamilton, was nearby, also taking a drop after rinsing his second shot, and was set to play first.
In that moment, cameras caught McCarthy’s caddie standing behind his player, a violation of one of the new rules of golf, Rule 10.2b(4), which prohibits a player from having his or her caddie deliberately stand behind him or her when the player begins taking a stance.