Open leader Lucas Herbert caught up in rangefinder controversy

While the distance-measuring gadgets are permitted by LIV Golf, they are banned in most other competitive golf events

Lucas Herbert’s caddie Nick Pugh provided a moment of concern to the watching public as his boss was playing his way to a major record-equalling 62 and the lead in The Open and Royal Birkdale. With Herbert eight under through 13 holes the Wirral native was caught by television cameras on the 14th tee using a rangefinder to see where the Australian’s drive had finished (it was in a bunker). While the distance-measuring gadgets are permitted by LIV Golf, where the 30-year-old plies his trade, they are banned in most other competitive golf events.

It raised the prospect of Herbert’s day to remember being ruined by a penalty, having also seen himself just miss out on the standalone record after a late bogey. Sky Sports reported that if Pugh was only utilising the the device as binoculars with the power turned off, he would be in the clear with officials. And is now understood R&A officials were aware the device had been cleared for use as it did not contain batteries and so could not function as intended.

“I obviously know that we can’t do it here or at the US Open but there was another player at the US Open that his caddie was given the OK to use a rangefinder without the battery in,” said Pugh. “I enquired very early on in the week with the R&A. It went right to the very top and I was given the green light.

“I’ll be honest with you guys, my eyesight isn’t great. The glasses aren’t just there to make me look cool. This guy hits it a long way.”