DeChambeau wins for second straight week

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PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Although his intention was never to cheat, Adam Schenk acknowledged Saturday that he and caddie Mark Carens did violate the new caddie alignment rule that resulted in a two-stroke penalty. Schenk was told by a PGA TOUR rules official prior to teeing off in the third round of The Honda Classic that he would be assessed two strokes for the rules infraction that occurred on the par-3 17th in Friday’s second round. The rule, 10.2b (4), prevents a player’s caddie from deliberately standing in a location on or close to the player’s line of play behind the ball once the player takes his stance. The TOUR issued a statement explaining the Schenk ruling: “The penalty occurred as a result of Adam’s caddie standing behind him once he took his stance but not taking any action subsequently that would absolve him of penalty, for example backing out of his stance.� Schenk originally made a bogey on the hole, with the score changed to a triple bogey prior to the third round. After shooting a 2-under 68 on Saturday, Schenk will enter Sunday’s final round at 4 under, three shots off the lead held by Wyndham Clark. Schenk said he received the news about 40 minutes prior to teeing off. He viewed video on an iPhone. “I broke the rule, so the intention was never to cheat, obviously,� Schenk said after finishing his third round. “I haven’t had much time to think about it. … What’s done is done, I guess.� The specific shot was from the greenside bunker. He and Carens had been discussing the best options for salvaging a bogey, fearing his shot might roll off the green into the water on the other side. “I don’t even know if he was exactly behind me or close,� Schenk said of Carens. “I don’t even know. There wasn’t a great place for him to stand there because if he was right, he was in the bunker.� Added Carens: “I didn’t even think I was behind him. When he was about to hit, then I got out of the way. There was no intent of lining him up or anything like that.� Schenk blasted out to 13 feet – “One of the greatest shots ever,� Carens said – and two-putted for bogey. Schenk said he was upset when he was informed of the rules violation Saturday. He then told Carens, “Let’s just forget about it and just try and play a good round of golf.’� Schenk birdied two of his first four holes and kept a clean card through the difficult Bear Trap to stay in contention. “Sometimes I get upset, I play better, and I shot a couple under today,� Schenk said, “so maybe I would have played worse if I didn’t have the penalty.� Schenk’s penalty is the latest in a string of penalties resulting from new rules instituted in 2019 by the USGA and R&A. On Thursday, Alex Cejka was disqualified for violating a rule limiting greens-reading books. That same day, Justin Thomas had to play part of his round without use of his 9-iron for fear of violating adjusted rules involving damaged clubs. “The rule changes are what they are,� said Schenk, who is making the 41st start of his PGA TOUR career. “They’re fine. Everybody has got to play by them, and I just unfortunately didn’t. But like I said, the intention was never to cheat.� Carens felt terrible about his involvement. “It’s like a caddie’s worst nightmare,� he said. “At least I’ll never do it again.�

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Diamond Resorts®, a global leader in the hospitality, vacation ownership and entertainment industries, is pleased to announce a $50,000 donation to the Diamond Resorts International Foundation from PGA TOUR champion and Diamond Celebrity ambassador Brian Gay. The donation will help support military families. Gay’s donation was made as part of the RSM Birdies Fore Love program, which recognizes and awards the top three finishers in total birdies (or better) from fall PGA TOUR events. The top three finishers earn $300,000, $150,000 and $50,000, respectively, to donate to a charity of their choice. Since 2019, the player who records the most birdies (or better) in each fall event, excluding major championships, also earns $50,000 for a charity of their choice. As the top finisher in birdies (or better) at the 2020 Bermuda Championship in November 2020, Mr. Gay has chosen to donate his $50,000 RSM Birdies Fore Love earnings to the Diamond Resorts International Foundation. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity providing financial aid and support to numerous charitable causes, including children’s issues, military veterans, environmental initiatives and COVID‑19 relief. “Growing up, I found my passion for golf while playing on courses at the various military bases that my father was stationed at during his deployment. I have always held military causes close to my heart, and my wife Kimberly and I have instilled the value of giving back to our community in our family,” said Brian Gay. “I am honored to have made this donation to the Diamond Resorts International Foundation to benefit Our Military Kids, an organization providing opportunities for children of military parents to build skills and confidence, and to find a sport or activity they are passionate about.” Mr. Gay’s $50,000 donation to the Diamond Resorts International Foundation will benefit Our Military Kids, a 501(c)(3) organization that helps children of deployed National Guard and Reserve service members and severely injured Veterans take part in extracurricular activities to support their psychological health. “Our Military Kids is incredibly grateful for this generous donation that will fund extracurricular activities for deserving military kids like Grayson, who used his Our Military Kids grant for golf lessons during his father’s deployment with the Navy Reserve,” said Kara Dallman, Our Military Kids Executive Director and Navy Veteran. “Grayson and his father now love to play together and use the sport as a way to strengthen their bond after the deployment!” As a Diamond Celebrity ambassador, Mr. Gay has previously lent his name to the Brian Gay Invitational, a 2013 celebrity charity golf tournament hosted by Diamond Resorts in Orlando. Over the last eight years, the event has transformed into the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, an official LPGA Tour event that brings celebrity golfers and LPGA champions together to play side-by-side for separate purses, while also raising funds for charity. “From the very beginning, Brian has shared our mission of using golf as a vehicle for giving back and providing support to those in need,” said Mike Flaskey, CEO, Diamond Resorts. “His gracious donation through RSM Birdies Fore Love will go a long way in supporting Our Military Kids and the families of dedicated service members protecting our country.” To learn more about the Diamond Resorts International Foundation, visit DiamondResorts.com/charity.

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