Bernhard Langer and Scott McCarron have not violated the putting anchoring rule, the U.S. Golf Association said Friday.
Last week, TV golf analyst Brandel Chamblee criticised the US PGA Senior Tour, calling its enforcement of the anchoring ban, also known as Rule 14-1b, “appalling,” while pointing out Langer and McCarron, both of whom anchor their putters, as examples. The Twitter posts ignited a big social-media debate.
But the USGA does not agree with Chamblee.
“Over the last two years, the USGA has worked with the PGA Tour Champions and other professional tours to support education and adoption of Rule 14-1b,” the USGA said in a statement.
 “We are confident that Rule has been applied fairly and consistently and have seen no evidence of a player breaching the Rule, which does not prohibit a hand or club to touch a player’s clothing in making a stroke. Integrity is at the heart of the Rules and how the game is played worldwide, and this essential value has made the game enjoyable for all golfers.
“We will continue to work with our partners at The R and A to listen and review all of golf’s Rules, with an eye on making them easier to understand and apply.”
Langer, who leads the US PGA Senior Tour money list and has won two over-50s majors this year, also released a statement through the USGA.
“During my 45-year career as a professional golfer, I have called penalties on myself. I believe in honesty and integrity, and I could not live with myself if I broke a rule and did not incur the penalty. "I’m certain that I am not anchoring the putter and that my putting stroke is not violating the Rules of Golf,” said Langer, who shot 4-over 74 in the final round of the U.S. Senior Open after he was targeted on Twitter because of his putting technique.
“On several occasions, I have been in contact with the USGA and rules officials on the US PGA Tour and US PGA Senior Tour, and each time I have been assured that my putting stroke is within the Rules of Golf. I will remain open and honest with rules officials and the governing bodies, and I will continue to play with the same integrity that I’ve displayed throughout my career.”
Said McCarron, who is fourth on the PGA Tour Champions money list: “I have putted with a long putter since 1991 – over half my life – and my putting stroke has not been anchored since the end of the 2015 season.
"I have logged more than 1,500 hours practising without anchoring my putter, and the more I practise, the better I get. I’d like to emphatically say that I do not anchor my hand, arm or club against my body during my putting stroke. I have worked with the rules officials to ensure that I am within the Rules of Golf, and I have extended many invitations to demonstrate and teach people how to use a long putter without anchoring.
“I have never competed dishonestly because I have the utmost respect for the game of golf, and I will continue to represent myself and the sport to the best of my ability.”