Report: PGA Tour golfer declines media interviews after breaking golf rule
PGA Tour golfer Michael La Sasso was assessed a two-shot penalty during the first round of the Sanderson Farms Championship at The Country Club of Jackson, according to a report.
PGA Tour golfer Michael La Sasso refused to speak to media after he was docked two shots for "improving the playing conditions of his stroke" during the first round of the Sanderson Farms Championship, according to a report.
La Sasso carded an opening, bogey-free 66 on Thursday at The Country Club of Jackson.
Only his score was later changed to 68 after tournament officials deemed he fell foul of Rule 8.1a.
The specific's of the 21-year-old's infraction are unclear, but it is understood the incident transpired on the par-4 6th hole.
La Sasso is now three shots off early leaders Eric Cole, Sam Ryder, Garrick Higgo and Danny Walker after 18 holes of the second event of the FedEx Cup Fall season.
According to the Associated Press, La Sasso declined to speak to media after his round. A rules official confirmed the penalty to the same publication.
What does Rule 8.1a state?
"You must not take any of these actions if they improve the conditions affecting your stroke: move, bend or break any growing or attached natural object, or immovable obstruction, integral object or boundary object…; move a loose impediment or movable obstruction into position (such as to build a stance); alter the surface of the ground; remove or press down sand or loos soil; remove dew, frost or water."
Who is Michael La Sasso?
La Sasso is making his sixth start on the PGA Tour.
He was a standout performer for Ole Miss and wone the 2025 NCAA Division 1 men's individual championship.
La Sasso finished on 11-under par and won by two strokes. The win earned him an invite to this year's US Open at Oakmont and next year's Masters.
He made his first start on the PGA Tour at the 2025 Rocket Classic via a sponsor exemption.
Ben Smith joined the GolfMagic team in September 2021, initially as a content executive.
These days, he assumes the position of content manager.
