Michael Brennan, a 23-year-old PGA Tour rookie, was disqualified from the Farmers Insurance Open after the first round for using non-permitted green-reading materials. The violation occurred when he sketched arrows from green maps into his yardage book, a breach of Model Local Rule G-11. Brennan self-reported the mistake and shared his explanation on Instagram.
Michael Brennan's promising start to the 2026 PGA Tour season ended abruptly at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. The 23-year-old rookie, who earned his Tour card by winning the Bank of Utah Championship in October on a sponsor's exemption, shot a two-under 70 on the North Course during Thursday's opening round. This placed him tied for 55th before officials disqualified him for violating Model Local Rule G-11, which prohibits the use of certain green-reading aids, including handwritten notes derived from detailed maps.
In an Instagram post late Friday, Brennan explained the incident. He had begun working with a new course data analyst to improve his strategy. "The evening before each round, he sends the hole locations on green maps to help plan approach shots," Brennan wrote. While reviewing these maps, he sketched a few arrows in his yardage book to aid his approach planning. After completing his round, Brennan sought clarification from the analyst on a map feature and learned that transcribing such details was not allowed. He immediately contacted a PGA Tour rules official, leading to his disqualification.
Brennan, making his ninth career Tour start, turned professional in 2024 after graduating from Wake Forest University. His Bank of Utah victory marked the first win by a sponsor exemption since Nick Dunlap's amateur triumph at the 2024 American Express, granting him a two-year exemption and spots in events like the PGA Championship. Prior to Torrey Pines, he missed the cut at the Sony Open and finished 56th at the American Express.
Reflecting on the error, Brennan called it "a painful lesson to learn" but remained optimistic. "I am looking forward to the party in the desert next week at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, let’s go!" he posted. Fellow pro Justin Thomas commended his integrity in the comments: "Good sh** dude. Great representation for the game of golf!"
The disqualification underscores the PGA Tour's strict rules on green-reading materials, aimed at preserving the skill of reading putts during competition. Brennan, now inside the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking, will look to rebound at TPC Scottsdale.
