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Kobbie Mainoo opens up about his challenging experience with Amorim at Manchester United.
The PGA has implemented a new code of conduct policy aimed at ensuring professional behavior among competitors. Despite recent incidents of poor behavior, officials claim the policy is designed to promote a positive image for the sport.
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NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. â Justin Thomas tomahawked a golf club, Jon Rahm hit a volunteer in the face with a divot and Rory McIlroy answered a question at a press conference with an NSFW four-letter word.
None of these examples of boorish behavior during the first round of the 108th PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club merited a warning under the code of conduct policy adopted by the PGA of America this year.
Kerry Haigh, the PGAâs Chief of Competitions, explained at a press conference on Wednesday that it was instituted to police behavior by competitors so âeveryone is behaving appropriately, professionally, and as we would want our children and people watching to see the major championship,â after a collaborative effort with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.
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âWe had a number of meetings to discuss the issue and how we could come up with a program that we feel is fair and effective,â Haigh added.
This weekâs code of conduct is posted in the Aronimink locker room, and cites 14 examples of âunacceptable behavior.â Despite Thomas, who heaved his club to the ground after his tee shot at 14 on Thursday, Rahmâs divot hitting a volunteer on No. 7 (he apologized after the round and explained it was accidental) and McIlroyâs language during his press conference (the first item on the list of unacceptable behavior), no punishment was doled out on Thursday, according to a PGA media official.
Recent incidents included Justin Thomas throwing a golf club, Jon Rahm hitting a volunteer with a divot, and Rory McIlroy using inappropriate language at a press conference.
Kerry Haigh, the PGAâs Chief of Competitions, stated that the policy aims to ensure competitors behave appropriately and professionally.
The policy is intended to promote appropriate behavior among players to maintain a positive image for the sport and ensure it is suitable for all audiences.
While the PGA has adopted the policy, its effectiveness in changing player behavior remains to be seen, especially after recent incidents went unpunished.

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May 14, 2026; Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA; Jon Rahm reacts to his shot from the 12th tee during the first round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Aronimink Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Any decision is at the discretion of the PGAâs Rules Committee. But allowing such behavior to go unpunished on the first day of the policy calls into question if it will be used at all or is merely messing up the locker room wallpaper.
A similar policy was instituted by Augusta National last month, which didnât hesitate to issue a warning to Sergio Garcia after he damaged the turf and broke the shaft of his driver over the leg of a bench during the final round of the Masters. Robert MacIntyre also reportedly received a stern talking to after he was caught on camera raising his middle finger after hitting a shot into the water at the 15th hole.
âIf a player does something sort of egregious, unfortunately, we would give a warning to that player, and if they were to do it again, there would be a two-shot penalty,â Haigh explained.
It is still to be seen what it will take for a warning to be issued by the PGA rules committee. More and more, players are showing that a policy of this sort is necessary.
âIt's really for the good of the game that we're implementing it,â Haigh said.
Adam Schupak is a senior writer for Golfweek, covering the PGA Tour.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: PGA's new conduct code faces early test