Masters leader Brooks Koepka avoids penalty after first-round controversy

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Brooks Koepka has dominated the Masters so far, but some believe that his lead should be shed by a couple strokes.

On the par-five 15th hole during the first round, it appeared as though after his iron shot, his caddie, Ricky Elliott, mouthed "Five" seemingly toward Gary Woodland's caddy, Brennan Little, informing him that Koepka had used a five iron.

If that were the case, Koepka should have been assessed a two-shot penalty for sharing club information with another competitor. 

The golfer could also be seen showing five fingers, leading to further speculation, but he also was taking his glove off in the process, so it could have been an inadvertent five-finger hold.

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Brooks Koepka of the United States reacts to his birdie on the 18th green during the first round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 6, 2023, in Augusta, Georgia.  (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

However, the Masters Tournament Committee deemed that no rule had been broken.

"Following the completion of Brooks Koepka’s round, the Committee questioned his caddie and others in the group about a possible incident on No. 15," the committee said in a statement. "All involved were adamant that no advice was given or requested. Consequently, the Committee determined that there was no breach of the Rules."

Koepka and Woodland both birdied the hole, as the former went on to shoot a seven-under 65.

Despite the ruling, some analysts feel that the committee got it wrong.

Brooks Koepka of the United States and Gary Woodland of the United States looks on from the second green during the first round