Hoffman's rules rant sparks PGA-Saudi talk

American golfer Charley Hoffman went onto Instagram to unleash a tirade over a penalty at the Phoenix Open that sparked discussion over Saudi-backed efforts to develop a rival tour.

Hoffman's rant about players wanting to "jump ship" from the PGA Tour and a Saturday "clean up" on social media came after he wound up making a double bogey on the 13th hole at TPC Scottsdale on Friday.

Hoffman found water off the tee and took a drop on a slope, eventually placing the ball only to watch it roll down the hillside and into water for another penalty.

"What a joke @usga @pgatour," Hoffman wrote on Instagram. "Today on the 13th hole I hit my drive in the water and took a drop on a side of a hill that (had) no grass. Dropped twice then place on a small tuff of grass. Turned around the ball started rolling into the water.

"I was under the impression that the @usga had changed that rule. I was wrong. Had to take another penalty for doing nothing wrong at all. Did everything by the book."

Hoffman said on Saturday he thought, wrongly as it turned out, he could re-place the ball with no penalty should such a thing occur, which is why he selected that option rather than drop farther back on the same line to take the slope out play.

"He chose that option and obviously on the bank," PGA rules official Ken Tackett said Saturday. "You play the ball where it comes to rest at the new spot. The rule was explained to Charley."

It is where Hoffman took his Friday social media complaint from there, however, that stirred the most talk, when he ripped into a rulemaking body, the US Golf Association, and the PGA Tour.

"It's still mind blowing that a group of amateurs rule the professional game of golf," Hoffman said. "I also blame the @pgatour rules