“THAT IS AN ACTION THAT MUST BE ELIMINATED” – Scottie Scheffler Ignites Firestorm by Demanding USGA Ban Smoking on Golf Courses, Calls for Charley Hull’s Disqualification After Viral On-Course Puff
In a blistering post-round press conference that has sent shockwaves through the golf world, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler unleashed a scathing critique of smoking on the course, labeling it a “distraction and health hazard” and demanding immediate action from the United States Golf Association (USGA). The outburst came hot on the heels of English LPGA star Charley Hull’s highly publicized relapse into her old habit during Friday’s second round of the annual Pebble Beach Invitational – a mixed pro-am event drawing top talent from both tours. Hull, who famously quit smoking earlier this year after a $10,000 wager, was caught on camera lighting up multiple times between shots, drawing complaints from playing partners and igniting a global debate on etiquette, health, and sportsmanship.
The Smoke-Filled Controversy: Hull’s Relapse Steals the Spotlight
The incident unfolded under the iconic cypress trees of Pebble Beach’s famed 7th hole, where Hull – paired with Scheffler and two amateurs – paused her swing routine to take several drags from a cigarette. Viral footage, shared widely on X and Instagram, shows Hull exhaling a plume of smoke just feet from her group, prompting visible discomfort from Scheffler, who waved it away mid-conversation, and amateur partner tech mogul Elon Musk, who quipped on X afterward: “Secondhand smoke on the fairway? That’s a bogey for humanity.” Hull finished the round at 2-under, but her score was overshadowed by the optics: this marked her first on-course smoke since announcing her quit in March 2025, following intense scrutiny during the 2024 U.S. Women’s Open where she infamously puffed while signing her scorecard.
Hull later defended her actions in a defiant Instagram Live: “Look, I bet 10 grand to quit, and I did – for five months. But golf’s stressful, innit? One bad day doesn’t make me a villain. If it bothers Scottie that much, maybe he should focus on his putts instead of my lungs.” The 29-year-old, known for her feisty persona and blade-ironed precision, revealed in May that she started smoking as a “coping mechanism” during long practice sessions, a habit that once helped her stay calm but drew widespread backlash for clashing with golf’s image as a clean, outdoor pursuit. Despite the bet’s success – which she credited with improving her stamina – Hull admitted the pressure of competing alongside PGA heavyweights like Scheffler tempted her back.
Scheffler’s Thunderbolt: “Ban It Now, or Disqualify the Offenders”
Scheffler, fresh off a wire-to-wire victory at the BMW Championship and still riding high from his 2024 Masters repeat, didn’t hold back in the media tent. The 29-year-old Texan, a devout Christian and family man who avoids even caffeine, declared: “That is an action that must be eliminated from our sport. Smoking on the course isn’t just poor etiquette – it’s a health risk to everyone around you, from players to fans to volunteers. I’ve got allergies, and secondhand smoke mid-round? It’s distracting and dangerous. The USGA needs to introduce a rule banning it outright, effective immediately. And honestly, after what I saw today, Charley should’ve been disqualified on the spot. We can’t let this slide.”
His words, delivered with the same steely focus that has netted him six majors since 2022, struck a chord – and a nerve. Scheffler, who has long championed wellness initiatives like his “Scheffler Foundation for Youth Fitness,” argued that golf’s governing bodies must evolve beyond outdated norms. “We’ve banned phones, carts in majors – why not this? It’s 2025, not 1955,” he added, referencing historical figures like Ben Hogan, who chain-smoked through tournaments without repercussion. The call for disqualification echoed rare precedents, like the 2019 disqualification of Lexi Thompson for a rules violation, but Scheffler’s personal stake – playing in Hull’s group – amplified the drama.
Outrage Erupts: Golf Community Divided, Hashtags Explode
The global golf fraternity fractured overnight. On X, #BanGolfSmoking surged to the top trends, amassing over 1.2 million posts in 24 hours, with supporters like Rory McIlroy chiming in: “Scottie’s spot on – fresh air is part of the game’s beauty. Time to stub it out.” Meanwhile, #FreeCharley rallied defenders, including Nelly Korda: “Charley’s human. We’ve all got vices; let’s not police her swing and her smoke.” British outlets like The Guardian decried Scheffler’s “puritanical overreach,” while American media, from ESPN to Golf Digest, praised his leadership.
Hull’s history added fuel: her 2024 Olympic admission that rules barred smoking during Team GB events drew laughs, but today’s relapse reignited calls for LPGA intervention. Sponsors like Titleist, Hull’s club maker, issued a neutral statement: “We support personal choices but prioritize a positive environment.” Even non-golf celebs weighed in – Peyton Manning, fresh from a viral “smoking a house off the tee” mishap with Scheffler at a charity event, joked: “If Bud’s calling for bans, count me out – I barely hit fairways as is.”
A Tipping Point for Golf’s Old Habits? USGA Responds
The USGA, caught off-guard, released a statement late Saturday: “We are reviewing player conduct policies and value input from leaders like Scottie Scheffler. Health and respect remain core to our rules.” Insiders whisper a potential “Smoke-Free Fairways” amendment could debut at the 2026 U.S. Open, with fines starting at $5,000 and escalating to disqualification. For Hull, the fallout includes a scheduled wellness check with LPGA officials and whispers of lost endorsements – though her bold “haters gonna hate” post garnered 500,000 likes.
As Scheffler eyes a third green jacket next April, this clash underscores golf’s generational shift: from cigar-chomping legends to smoke-free sanctuaries. Will the USGA act, or will Hull’s puff become a puff of defiance? One thing’s clear – the fairway just got a lot more heated.
