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J.P. Hayes, 43, doesn't think he did anything unusual.
Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
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Golfer J.P. Hayes disqualified himself from the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament for accidently using a ball that hasn't been approved. He had his spot on the tour all wrapped up, went back to his hotel room, and then realized he used an illegal ball.
Hayes tells Dan that most golfers are honest and would have done the same thing. Hayes says this kind of thing happens throughout the year, and doesn't usually get this kind of attention.
Hayes said he realized he screwed up two days later. He looked down at a ball on the hotel room floor and saw a ball that made him realize he used a "non-conforming ball."
Hayes had gotten a test ball from Titleist and accidentally used it. But -- and this is a big but -- the ball didn't help him at all. He actually made a bogey with it in the tournament.
Hayes said that he first called Titleist, hoping it had been approved. It hadn't. Then Hayes called a PGA official, who couldn't give Hayes any good news. The next day Hayes found out he was disqualified.
Hayes said if he had lied, he would have made himself sick.
Dan thinks that Hayes will get more sponsor exemptions next year. But Hayes won't speculate on that issue. |
Golfer J.P. Hayes disqualified himself from the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament for accidently using a ball that hasn't been approved. He had his spot on the tour all wrapped up, went back to his hotel room, and then realized he used an illegal ball.
Hayes tells Dan that most golfers are honest and would have done the same thing. Hayes says this kind of thing happens throughout the year, and doesn't usually get this kind of attention.
Hayes said he realized he screwed up two days later. He looked down at a ball on the hotel room floor and saw a ball that made him realize he used a "non-conforming ball."
Hayes had gotten a test ball from Titleist and accidentally used it. But -- and this is a big but -- the ball didn't help him at all. He actually made a bogey with it in the tournament.
Hayes said that he first called Titleist, hoping it had been approved. It hadn't. Then Hayes called a PGA official, who couldn't give Hayes any good news. The next day Hayes found out he was disqualified.
Hayes said if he had lied, he would have made himself sick.
Dan thinks that Hayes will get more sponsor exemptions next year. But Hayes won't speculate on that issue.