The pro at my club gave me an interesting theory and thinking about what he said, I think he might be right. I believe it was hole 10, where Dustin Johnson got relief cause of a TV tower in his "line of sight" to the green. Well, he was allowed to get a two club length relief. Just so happened to give him a great lie from a spot where his ball was buried in the rough.
Well, it was shortly after that that the official from the USGA (Jeff Hall) came up to him to let him know they are reviewing the putt from hole 5. I think (according to my pro) the USGA was offended how Dustin Johnson took advantage of a technicality and used their rules to give him a great lie. I think they thought to themselves that if he is going to do that and get relief due to a technicality then we are going to see if we can use a technicality against him.
Now, on it surface it seems absurd. However, after thinking about it, the notion that he moved the ball was equally absurd. So, what would motivate the USGA officials to create a problem where it was BEYOND OBVIOUS that he did nothing to move the ball on that putt? Especially when the walking official at the time already made a ruling. Then it was pretty much right after Dustin Johnson got that line of sight relief. I think it is entirely possible that the USGA became a bit irate that Johnson was awarded that based on tecnicality.
BTW, after Johnson got that relief, the TV tower was STILL IN HIS LINE SIGHT. He, of course, all of a sudden had a great lie in the short grass and he hit the ball right over the tower.
I don't like the line of sight rulings. Unless the tower moved there after DJ hit his shot then it is the rub of the green. Besides, DJ hit his shot right over top of the tower. But I doubt that the USGA is getting pay back.
I did not really think they would try to get pay back, but I have met these officials. Trust me, they are filled with pride and arrogant. I have actually heard them talking about making rulings to "even things out" if they feel a golfer has bent the rules in their favor.
They could never admit it obviously in public. Yes, the moving of the ball for Johnson to me was a bit ridiculous. The tower was still in his line sight after they moved the ball and he hit it right over the tower.
Not saying the USGA did do it, but it would not shock me if they did. I know they would have been GREATLY offended by Johnson using the line of sight technicality in that situation. It was only a very short time after Johnson did that, that the USGA approached him. Cannot dismiss the timing.