Play It As It Lays
For one of the first times in my life I have some sympathy for professional golfers. During the second round of the Masters, he took a drop that might have benefited him. Initially this made no difference to the officials, however after a viewer called in. Tapes were reviewed and Tiger's post round interview was parsed.
It was determined that "the drop" was too far away from the original place the ball landed. Except for the fact the PGA originally found the drop to be OK and Tiger was found to be in violation of the rule only after he explained his actions, he was assessed a two stroke penalty.
In the past the PGA might have disqualified Tiger for signing an incorrect card, but the new rule which gives players a reprieve from viewer complaints that may not be acted on until after the players has signed the card and is not aware of the violation.
Sometimes there has been drama, when players penalize themselves, or when they take their medicine for signing an incorrect score card and are disqualified.
Now, I wonder how many calls tournaments get from serious viewers, crackpots, gamblers and other people with an axe to grind that might want to take down a golfer they dislike.
The sportsmanship that golf teaches is good, and in this case nothing would be gained by fixing Tiger with a DQ.
While the Masters is played on a beautiful course, the field is littered with folks that are fun to watch but have little chance to win. I think the "Major" designation is overblown at best and given the very private nature of the club itself, maybe it should take a two stroke penalty.
It was determined that "the drop" was too far away from the original place the ball landed. Except for the fact the PGA originally found the drop to be OK and Tiger was found to be in violation of the rule only after he explained his actions, he was assessed a two stroke penalty.
In the past the PGA might have disqualified Tiger for signing an incorrect card, but the new rule which gives players a reprieve from viewer complaints that may not be acted on until after the players has signed the card and is not aware of the violation.
Sometimes there has been drama, when players penalize themselves, or when they take their medicine for signing an incorrect score card and are disqualified.
Now, I wonder how many calls tournaments get from serious viewers, crackpots, gamblers and other people with an axe to grind that might want to take down a golfer they dislike.
The sportsmanship that golf teaches is good, and in this case nothing would be gained by fixing Tiger with a DQ.
While the Masters is played on a beautiful course, the field is littered with folks that are fun to watch but have little chance to win. I think the "Major" designation is overblown at best and given the very private nature of the club itself, maybe it should take a two stroke penalty.
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