19th Hole
Tour caddie shoots 202 in U.S. Am qualifier and gets DQ’d after the event
There may be a 2.4 handicap index limit to enter a U.S. Am qualifier, but that didn’t prevent one player from running up an astronomical score of 202 at the event at Mayacoo Lakes C.C. on Monday – before it was revealed the player had been disqualified for “failing to play in the spirit of the game.”
Korn Ferry Tour player Justin Hueber tweeted out the card of the player in question and showed a scorecard of a player who shot a 194 total – equating to 123-over par.
Despite Hueber’s attempts to blur out the name of the player in question, it was found to be Trey Bilardello, better known for being a professional caddie most recently for Matt Every, and it turns out that the 194 total was, in fact, a 202.
Speaking to GolfDigest, Darin Green, director of rules & competitions for the Florida State Golf Association, revealed how a glitch in the online scoring system prevents numbers greater than 19 posted on any hole being submitted, but failed to elaborate on just how a player with a 2.2 handicap, according to the latest GHIN revision, could shoot such a total, stating “The 202 was the score given to us and signed.”
On Tuesday afternoon Bilardello’s story became even more intriguing when the FSGA decided to reverse its original decision and disqualify Bilardello after the event had ended.
“Serious misconduct and failing to play in the spirit of the game” was the reason for the disqualification according to Beth Major, USGA senior director of championship communications, who was speaking to Golf Digest.
Per the report, Bilardello began deliberately missing shots, especially around the green, and as he was within the first group at the event, his pace held up the rest of the field. Speaking on the incident, Major stated
“His disqualification was deemed appropriate as a result of the individual’s failure to show consideration for other players—deliberately playing away from the hole to run up his score.”
Speaking to Golf Channel, Bilardello’s playing competitor, Kristian Fortis, disclosed how the Tour caddie started off normal but quickly went downhill.
“After the first nine, he said that he wanted to shoot the highest recorded score in USGA history. He just did not care. He was really rude to a lot of the officials, too. Something was off.
“He would chip shots and scoot his ball around on the tee box just to add strokes, and then he would just pipe a 2-iron down the middle of the fairway, hit it on the green and then just scoot his ball around again with his putter. He’d be right next to the hole and then I guess he’d think to himself that he didn’t have enough strokes and he’d hit his ball in the opposite direction of the hole.”
Bilardello’s past involves an arrest in 2014 in Royal Palm Beach, Fla, on a charge of first-degree domestic battery by strangulation, and he has been accused of “cheating the ballot to win” by an online commentator in a “Caddie for a Day” contest for Ken Duke. Per GolfDigest’s report, Bilardello was suspended from the Minor League Golf Tour for damaging golf course property during one of the events.
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19th Hole
LET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you
On Friday morning, Ladies European Tour player, Hannah Gregg, took to social media to share her weekly expenses playing on the LET.
Expenses of my first week on Ladies European Tour:
Flights: $2600
Work Visa: $350
Food: $377
Caddie: $0 because I have an amazing Fiancé
Hotel: $0 because @GregChalmersPGA sorted me host housing for the week! ?
Rental Car: +0 because the Tour Tee guys GAVE me their car ??…— Hannah Gregg (@hannahbggg) April 26, 2024
“Expenses of my first week on Ladies European Tour: Flights: $2600 Work Visa: $350
- Food: $377
- Caddie: $0 because I have an amazing Fiancé
- Hotel: $0 because @GregChalmersPGA sorted me host housing for the week!
- Rental Car: +0 because the Tour Tee guys GAVE me their car
- Gas: $165
- Entry Fee: $130
- Lounge Pass for caddie: $50
- Gym: $0
- Yardage book: $0
- Total expenses: $3672
Made cut, finished 54th, total earned: $1244 Factor in 35% tax on earnings. To break even, needed to finish 24th. To make money, 21st. Guess we have our goals laid out for next event!”
When factoring in Gregg’s free housing, free caddie and free rental car, it’s evident that most LET players would have to finish well inside of the top-20 to make any money.
With ridiculous amounts of money being thrown around in professional golf these days, it’s important to remember the other side of the coin as well. There are countless professionals out there who struggle to get by on their golf salary.
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- The wild reason why Mark Wahlberg was initially denied entry to an Australian golf club
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Edoardo Molinari reveals the latest PGA Tour golfer to turn down ‘good offer’ from LIV Golf
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19th Hole
54-hole golf tour deemed eligible for OWGR points…but it’s not LIV
After a seventeen-month application process, a 54-hole golf tour was deemed eligible for OWGR points.
Unfortunately, for LIV Golf and their fans, it was the Clutch Pro Tour.
After the decision, which is effective immediately, OWGR chairman Peter Dawson issued a statement.
“This is a significant milestone for golf, and OWGR is deeply encouraged by the achievement and the continued efforts in developing the sport of golf in the United Kingdom.”
“We look forward to watching the progress of the Clutch Pro Tour as it continues to play a key role in the development of players from the region,” Dawson added.
OWGR Announcement
Read more here – https://t.co/7J4bFpawqv#OWGR#OfficialWorldGolfRanking pic.twitter.com/ZfBJWCFAm8— OWGR (@OWGRltd) April 25, 2024
The Clutch Pro Tour operates in the United Kingdom and features a 36-hole cut. It also has an open qualifying school.
More from the 19th Hole
- The wild reason why Mark Wahlberg was initially denied entry to an Australian golf club
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Edoardo Molinari reveals the latest PGA Tour golfer to turn down ‘good offer’ from LIV Golf
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19th Hole
Charlie Woods attempting to qualify for spot at 2024 U.S. Open
As first reported by Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated, Charlie Woods will be attempting to qualify for this year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.
The first stage of qualifying for this year’s tournament will be an 18-hole local event on Thursday, April 25th, in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
There will be 84 players in the field, five of which will reach the 36-hole qualifier that will take place in June.
Earlier this season, Charlie attempted to qualify for the Cognizant Classic, and struggled, shooting an 86.
If the younger Woods is able to qualify, he will tee it up in the same field as his father in a few months at one of the more historic U.S. Open venues.
More from the 19th Hole
- The wild reason why Mark Wahlberg was initially denied entry to an Australian golf club
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Edoardo Molinari reveals the latest PGA Tour golfer to turn down ‘good offer’ from LIV Golf
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