21-Year-Old Frank Kennedy’s Q-School DQ: His Father’s Thoughts on the Golf Incident

What happened on the 11th green

The size of the damage has been described differently. Ryan French of Monday Q Info reported that sources called it a divot about a foot long, while Frank later described it as a four-inch graze. The damaged area has since been repaired.

His father accepts responsibility

Simon said he does not excuse his son’s conduct and called the act foolish and careless. He said Frank deserved a reprimand or punishment, while maintaining that the damage was not deliberate.

Simon described the incident as a brief lapse by a young player, not evidence of a hot temper. Frank’s Monday statement called the damage accidental; on Tuesday, he said he would make no further statement.

What others saw after the round

Frank was the last player to leave the green, Simon said, and he did not know whether anyone in the group saw the putter swipe. His caddie, Gary Tilston, learned of it only after the round, according to Simon.

Simon said the players were called to the clubhouse after signing their cards and asked about the green. One player, whose identity Simon withheld, described the damage as accidental and said the group had tried to repair it. Frank was then told he was disqualified.

Committee review and conduct rule

The DP World Tour said it does not comment on ruling appeals. GOLF learned that the committee interviewed Frank again and reviewed photographs, the event timeline, player statements and additional interviews with players present.

The cited conduct rule says players should care for the course and avoid unnecessary damage. It allows a committee to disqualify a player for serious misconduct contrary to the spirit of the game, but does not specify that the damage must be intentional. The tour’s official comment pointed to the extent of the damage as central to the ruling.