Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

The new rules will come into force in 2025

LPGA and USGA reveal rules on gender and trans players

The LPGA and USGA have announced new gender policies stating that players must have been assigned female at birth or have transitioned to female before going through puberty in order to be eligible for their competitions.

Golf • 04 Dec 24

"They have seen some low scores and they maybe freak out and do something crazy"

Power hopeful USGA won't 'freak out' over low scoring

Ireland's Seamus Power hoped the USGA would not "freak out" and make conditions more difficult after Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele created history on day one of the US Open.

Golf • 15 Jun 23

Martin Slumbers - ""This is an important issue for golf and one which needs to be addressed if the sport is to retain its unique challenge and appeal."

R&A and USGA take steps to limit golf ball distances

Golf's governing bodies have proposed a new local rule to give tournament organisers the option to require the use of a distance-reducing ball.

Golf • 14 Mar 23

DeChambeau had considered using a 48-inch driver in November's Masters but decided he was not "100% ready"

Golf rule-makers finally tackle sport's distance issue

Bryson DeChambeau could be prevented from using a 48-inch driver in April's Masters in the latest step in golf's long-running distance debate.

Golf • 02 Feb 21

Justin Thomas is unhappy with golf's latest rule changes

Thomas 'really hurt' by Twitter spat with USGA

Former world number one Justin Thomas admits he was "really hurt" by his extraordinary spat with one of the game's governing bodies on social media.

Golf • 03 Mar 19

Golf authorities move to clarify line of play rules

The R&A and USGA have revised a 'line of play' rule which was only introduced in January after two controversial incidents on either side of the Atlantic.

Golf • 06 Feb 19

Phil Mickelson has apologised for hitting a moving ball on the 13th hole of Saturday's third round of the US Open

'Embarrassed' Mickelson sorry over moving ball incident

Phil Mickelson is "embarrassed and disappointed" by his actions after deliberately hitting a moving ball at last week's US Open to prevent it rolling off the green.

Golf • 20 Jun 18

New universal handicap to be introduced in 2020

Golfers will be able to take a universal handicap to courses around the world from 2020 in a shake-up of the system announced by organisers on Tuesday.

Golf • 20 Feb 18

Dustin Johnson speaks to an official on the fifth green

USGA officials defend Johnson controversy

Tournament officials have defended their handling of the rules controversy which threatened to overshadow the US Open and provoked a storm of criticism from the world's top players.

Golf • 20 Jun 16

Players have been critical of the thick rough at Oakmont

US Open bosses ease up on 'penal' Oakmont rough

Tournament officials have cut the rough ahead of this week's US Open at Oakmont after conceding it was "too penal".

Golf • 15 Jun 16

USGA