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Kapalua - Colombian birthday boy Camilo Villegas was disqualified from the Tournament of Champions on Friday after an eagle-eyed TV viewer called to complain that he had committed a rule violation.
Villegas, who turned 29 on Friday, was tossed out of the season-opening USPGA Tour event after the viewer noticed him moving a blade of grass near a divot while his ball was still in motion on the 15th hole in Thursday's opening round.
Villegas had just chipped toward the green when the ball rolled back two times.
Tournament officials said the move violated Rule 23-1 that says that when a ball is moving "a loose impediment that might influence the movement of the ball must not be removed".
He signed for a one-under 72 instead of a 74 and was disqualified for having an incorrect scorecard.
This is not the first time American golf officials have acted on the complaints of TV viewers.
Last season Juli Inkster was banished from a LPGA Tour event after a viewer noticed she had used a practice club that had extra weight on it while warming up in a tee box.
American Dustin Johnson accidently grounded his club in a trampled bunker located off the fairway at the PGA Championship.
PGA of America officials looked at a photograph taken by a spectator on their cell phone before deciding to slap Johnson with a two-stroke penalty knocking him out of a potentially million dollar playoff to determine the major championship winner.
