Any PGA Players You Don't Like

[grayesun]

Are there any PGA golfers, you know big name guys on the tour currently that you really don't like for some reason? The few on my list include:

1) Retief Goosen - nasty shenannigans while playing with Stricker.
2) Ian Poulter - pinky believes he & Tiger are best players in the world.
3) Vijay Singh - just can't get beyond an ancient cheating issue.

The rest are just ducky in my book!

[Mudder]

Tiger is on the top of my don't like list now. He disrespected so many people in and out of golf with his ego driven behavior. And I'm so sick of the media still focusing way to much on him when he plays. I believe that Vijay was proven innocent of intentional cheating.

[jebartle]

What did Goosen do to Stricker? I must have missed that one!

[zcaveman]

In my case it is not the golfers. It is the announcers constantly harping abut one player or another, The Golf channel is the worse but ABC, CBS and NBC come close. Sometimes it is much enjoyable hitting the mute button and watching golf and listening to your favorite music.

[Mikeod]

In my case it is not the golfers. It is the announcers constantly harping abut one player or another, The Golf channel is the worse but ABC, CBS and NBC come close. Sometimes it is much enjoyable hitting the mute button and watching golf and listening to your favorite music.

:agree: They express concern about the pros being faceless robots, then they show only a few players the entire telecast, while filling air time with some clueless CEO and/or a puff piece. I want to yell at the screen to "Show some golf, for crying out loud!!!!"

OK, I feel better now.

[ducati1974]

I really don't care for Vijay Singh ever since I heard his chauvinistic attitude toward women playing on the PGA tour. (and I'm a man!) If a woman wants to compete & qualifies I say go for it! It would add some new interest to the tour.

[schotzyb]

Sergio. Needs to grow up

[grayesun]

What did Goosen do to Stricker? I must have missed that one!

I believe both beefs occurred during same round while he was playing with Stricker. Did not see these events personally; believe they were reported on golf channel.

1. Stricker's ball stuck a sprinkler head and was damaged (indented) - Stricker requested that he be allowed to play a new ball...Goosen denied Strickers request to take damaged ball out of play.

2. Stricker had match won and Goosen refused to putt out his ball on 18th and allow Stricker to putt last. Goosen stalled and delayed before finally putting out; a sore sport pain in the "rear".

[grayesun]

Sergio. Needs to grow up

Agree...followed Segio around for a few holes and couldn't believe how angry & intense he behaved...realize he's not been playing up to his capabilities for a while...but he was downright miserable on the course...was really surprised to see this. As I mentioned in another thread, we have so much more fun watching the seniors play...you can see how much they really enjoy the fans.

[batman911]

How about Sergio for spitting in the cup when he missed a putt. Everyone watching the telecast saw it.

[graciegirl]

Isn't Sergio suffering from a brain tumor?

Correcting myself. Right country,wrong golfer. It was Seve Ballasteros

I don't really like Vijay Singh.

I am still angry with Tiger.

Phil is my favorite.

[actor]

Are there any PGA golfers, you know big name guys on the tour currently that you really don't like for some reason? The few on my list include:

1) Retief Goosen - nasty shenannigans while playing with Stricker.
2) Ian Poulter - pinky believes he & Tiger are best players in the world.
3) Vijay Singh - just can't get beyond an ancient cheating issue.

The rest are just ducky in my book!

about Goosen and Stricker having a problem. You'd have to show me some proof of that before I'd believe it. Goosen seems like a prety low-key guy who is nice to everyone.

[Number 6]

Back in 2006 it was reported that his fellow touring pros called Phil "FIGJAM." Look it up.

[Russ_Boston]

"Show some golf, for crying out loud!!!!"

I hear that a lot on this forum. BUT...

Today I DVR'ed the entire PGA championship final round. I saw almost every shot by anyone that was in contention or near the top. (Except for a few that made a late push and came close and they only showed their last couple of holes).

Yes they still showed too many shots by some guys off the lead (Phil and Tiger)

And yes they didn't show many of Nick Watney's shots after his early demise.

But overall I think I got a really good picture of what happened today. And there was plenty of action. With that rules infraction by DJ on 18 this will be a PGA that will be talked about for some time. Martin Kaymer is a star - this was no fluke. I think he was 4th in the British as well.

[Russ_Boston]

I'm not a big fan of slow play so I've never liked Ben Crane. Also not a fan of Jim Furyk's putting routine which takes forever. Just hope no golfers in TV copy that style!

As far as old timers: Never liked Curtis Strange - I had a small incident with him when I was working a tournament here at the TPC Boston (actually here in my hometown of Norton, MA). Let's just say he's not the most likable person you've ever met.

[Pturner]

The finish certainly was something. It was funny, when DJ grounded his club, I said, "OMG, he grounded his club". Then he stepped away and came back to his ball. I said, "OMG, he did it again". Hubby said, "He's not in a hazard".

We both assumed hubby was right about no infraction since nothing was said. Then, the sh** hit the fan! Good thing DJ missed that putt!

[Russ_Boston]

It was funny, when DJ grounded his club, I said, "OMG, he grounded his club". Then he stepped away and came back to his ball.

Funny thing was, when he did it the first time he almost stepped back and gestured like "Is this a bunker?". But he said he didn't know so I'd have to accept that.

[Pturner]

Funny thing was, when he did it the first time he almost stepped back and gestured like "Is this a bunker?". But he said he didn't know so I'd have to accept that.

After they called it, I thought the same thing. Even hubby said it looked that way when they replayed it. I almost wondered if psychologically, that was why he missed the putt, i.e., he knew he shouldn't win. However, I'm with you, I accept his explanation.

[The Great Fumar]

Golfers that I don't like.........

Woods
Strange
licklighter
Wieskoft
Crane
Faldo
Dimarco
MURREY

[The Great Fumar]

After they called it, I thought the same thing. Even hubby said it looked that way when they replayed it. I almost wondered if psychologically, that was why he missed the putt, i.e., he knew he shouldn't win. However, I'm with you, I accept his explanation.

I am not a Johnson fan and I didn't want him to win, But that was a rotten call by the rules official because that has to be the worst alledged bunker I have ever seen........It looked like a walking path , not a bunker......In fact it looked like doggie do run......

sandy fumar

[collie1228]

In fairness to the officials, they gave written notice to all of the players that they should be extra careful about playing from sandy areas outside the "usual" playing area, as the course is full of bunkers that don't come into play for the pros. Golf Digest did a bunker count at Whistling Straits earlier this year, and came up with an "actual count" of 967, which may or may not be accurate. Occasionally the course designer, Pete Dye comes in and says "lets open up this bunker", and they remove some grass and expose a bunker that nobody knew was there. The CBS announcers said that there are more than a thousand of them. Personally I felt terrible for Dustin Johnson, but he seemed to handle it well and had a good interview with David Feherty right after it happened. He showed a lot of class.

[Taltarzac]

I am not a Johnson fan and I didn't want him to win, But that was a rotten call by the rules official because that has to be the worst alledged bunker I have ever seen........It looked like a walking path , not a bunker......In fact it looked like doggie do run......

sandy fumar

Now, that is news. The bunkers must move at that golf course since it is so close to Lake Michigan.

[nitehawk]

I really don't care for Vijay Singh ever since I heard his chauvinistic attitude toward women playing on the PGA tour. (and I'm a man!) If a woman wants to compete & qualifies I say go for it! It would add some new interest to the tour.

OK lets let men play in the LPGA, if they qualify from the forward tees, maybe this will create more interest in the LPGA. As for VJ I really like the man - gives very little interviews, and when he does he is short and to the point. Because he maybe a chauvinist (in some peoples eyes) does not make me dislike him. Some people like EX-Pres Bush and i don't dislike them

[graciegirl]

OK lets let men play in the LPGA, if they qualify from the forward tees, maybe this will create more interest in the LPGA. As for VJ I really like the man - gives very little interviews, and when he does he is short and to the point. Because he maybe a chauvinist (in some peoples eyes) does not make me dislike him. Some people like EX-Pres Bush and i don't dislike them

Ouch. OUCH. His attitude about women playing in the mens tour has nothing to do with my dislike of him. He is just kind of a smart aleck.(IMHO)

There is one woman who is new to this forum, but none that I have known personally who has a game where they consistently hit off the championship tees. A womans golf game and a mans golf game is usually quite different. (Not that they can't beat a man, but it is usually brains over braun.)

And for Pete's sake Nitehawk, lets not let Politics into the Golf section.:yuck:

[Pturner]

I am not a Johnson fan and I didn't want him to win, But that was a rotten call by the rules official because that has to be the worst alledged bunker I have ever seen........It looked like a walking path , not a bunker......In fact it looked like doggie do run......

sandy fumar

Except that the rules official went on to explain that rule #1 on a local rule sheet dealt with the peculiar situation of original bunkers that had become disfigured. It specified that these would be treated as bunkers. As would be the case with any local rule sheet in a tournament, it was provided to the players, explained verbally and posted in the lockers.

Until the official explained that, I might have seen it as a bad call. But since the specific circumstance was addressed in the local rule sheet, how could the officials reasonably have not enforced it?

And as previously mentioned, given the irregular bunkers throughout the course, my first reaction when he addressed his ball was that it was might well be a bunker.

[JimJoe]

Except that the rules official went on to explain that rule #1 on a local rule sheet dealt with the peculiar situation of original bunkers that had become disfigured. It specified that these would be treated as bunkers. As would be the case with any local rule sheet in a tournament, it was provided to the players, explained verbally and posted in the lockers.

Until the official explained that, I might have seen it as a bad call. But since the specific circumstance was addressed in the local rule sheet, how could the officials reasonably have not enforced it?

And as previously mentioned, given the irregular bunkers throughout the course, my first reaction when he addressed his ball was that it was might well be a bunker.

GOOD points BUT:
The official with Dustin did not treat it like a "bunker". Dustin asked for the spectators to be moved back and the official did not move them out of the "bunker".
They are standing and sitting it when he hits!! No way any official would allow that on a real "bunker".
http://sports.yahoo.com/golf/blog/devil_ball_golf/post/Dustin-Johnson-s-rules-violation-costs-him-a-sho?urn=golf-262517#post

Furthermore, aren't "bunkers" supposed be raked between shots so the golfer will have a smooth surface to hit into and out of? This one was full of footprints. Check the video above.

Terrible call and you have to give Dustin credit for accepting it.

[collie1228]

From what I read this morning, the "local" rules sheet passed out to every player and posted in the locker room clearly instructed the players that there are bunkers on the course that might not be apparent as bunkers, would not be raked and which would have footprints, heel marks, etc. in them caused by spectators. It also said that there would be no special relief in those bunkers. If Dustin had read the rules (which I understand most players do not), he would have been aware of the unique situation at this particular course. I feel badly for him, but anytime you get fair warning and don't pay attention, you can't blame the officials. I do agree that the official should have done a much better job of clearing the area of spectators before he attempted the shot.

[JimJoe]

From what I read this morning, the "local" rules sheet passed out to every player and posted in the locker room clearly instructed the players that there are bunkers on the course that might not be apparent as bunkers, would not be raked and which would have footprints, heel marks, etc. in them caused by spectators. It also said that there would be no special relief in those bunkers. If Dustin had read the rules (which I understand most players do not), he would have been aware of the unique situation at this particular course. I feel badly for him, but anytime you get fair warning and don't pay attention, you can't blame the officials. I do agree that the official should have done a much better job of clearing the area of spectators before he attempted the shot.

Spectators are not allowed in "bunkers". Therefore when Dustin asked the official to move the spectators back and they did not move them out of the "bunker", the rulling at that point was it was not a bunker. The official onsite determined that and allowed the spectators to be present. Later an another official ruled the opposite. Totally unfair.

[BogeyBoy]

Spectators are not allowed in "bunkers". Therefore when Dustin asked the official to move the spectators back and they did not move them out of the "bunker", the rulling at that point was it was not a bunker. The official onsite determined that and allowed the spectators to be present. Later an another official ruled the opposite. Totally unfair.

I thought the spectators were really crowding Dustin, but I don't recall him asking for them to be moved out of the "bunker". When he asked that they move back between his ball and the intended flight of the ball they complied. I heard it mentioned many times over the four days that specators would be in the bunkers because there were so many bunkers and they were located in places that the pros normally would not hit.

A copy of the notice is posted on the PGA's website. I feel bad that it turned out that way but all players were given fair and clear warning. They are pros, they need to know the rules, and if they question a rule they have officials to make a ruling. Unfortunately Dustin never asked, "Is this a bunker?" Next time a cop pulls me over for going 90 I'm going to try this - "I chose not to read the sign that said speed limit 70". I'll let you know how it turns out.

[grayesun]

An unfortunate turn of events for DJ (who really should have won the match), but his reaction was puzzling after he 1st grounded the club...looking as though he knew he'd messed up...but if so, why would he then ground it again? Apparently (from an interview afterwards) some players never bother to read the rules :undecided:...do they rely on their caddies to cover them in this regard? Did DJ's caddie miss giving his player timely advice & warnings; he looked oddly absent, buried amongst the crowd at the time of the infraction...just another odd angle on the mishap!

[The Great Fumar]

And as previously mentioned, given the irregular bunkers throughout the course, my first reaction when he addressed his ball was that it was might well be a bunker.

I certainly wish you had called Faldo , Ferritiy, Finch, Kostis,and the first rules official so they could have stopped him from grounding his club......

[Pturner]

I certainly wish you had called Faldo , Ferritiy, Finch, Kostis,and the first rules official so they could have stopped him from grounding his club......

Tried. Their lines were busy.

[collie1228]

I don't know that an "official" was there and didn't clear the bunker of fans. There was a marshal or two (generally a volunteer whose job is mostly crowd control at a PGA tournament), but if there was an "official", I didn't hear the announcers mention it. The only official I saw was the rules chairman who met DJ as he left the 18th green. Marshals are not there to monitor or enforce the rules of golf.

[JimJoe]

I thought the spectators were really crowding Dustin, but I don't recall him asking for them to be moved out of the "bunker". When he asked that they move back between his ball and the intended flight of the ball they complied. I heard it mentioned many times over the four days that specators would be in the bunkers because there were so many bunkers and they were located in places that the pros normally would not hit.

A copy of the notice is posted on the PGA's website. I feel bad that it turned out that way but all players were given fair and clear warning. They are pros, they need to know the rules, and if they question a rule they have officials to make a ruling. Unfortunately Dustin never asked, "Is this a bunker?" Next time a cop pulls me over for going 90 I'm going to try this - "I chose not to read the sign that said speed limit 70". I'll let you know how it turns out.

I can't wait till the Masters so I can sit in the bunkers and watch since we now know that bunkers are open to walk in, stand in, and sit in while the pros are hitting. I won't have to stand in the crowds anymore! If they tell me to get out I am going to say the PGA rule is you can be in "bunkers" unless the player asks the official before every shot if his ball is in a bunker. Then the player and I will know it is a bunker.
Are you really telling me the PGA official at the scene does not enforce bunker rules unless the player asks him to?

[collie1228]

What I'm saying is that there was a marshal or two at the scene, but no rules official. At least I didn't see one, and the announcers didn't mention one being there. The rules official made his ruling in the trailer after reviewing the tape with the offender. And, not to beat a dead horse, but the PGA rules govern the game of golf by professional golfers - not the rules of spectating. Good luck at the Masters - if you step into a bunker there, I have a feeling you'll quickly find yourself standing out Magnolia Drive with a court appearance in your future.

[BogeyBoy]

I can't wait till the Masters so I can sit in the bunkers and watch since we now know that bunkers are open to walk in, stand in, and sit in while the pros are hitting. I won't have to stand in the crowds anymore! If they tell me to get out I am going to say the PGA rule is you can be in "bunkers" unless the player asks the official before every shot if his ball is in a bunker. Then the player and I will know it is a bunker.
Are you really telling me the PGA official at the scene does not enforce bunker rules unless the player asks him to?

I'm saying the player is responsible for his actions, and if he questions something there is always a PGA official close by. They usually can easily identify a bunker. That wasn't the case over the weekend. On any normal weekend you'll see an official called in to make a determination on something that seems obvious. The players are used to asking, it's nothing new.

There was a clear exception to what the players expect, it was published, posted, handed out, etc. (What they expect is no one in bunkers, raked sand, etc. What they were told is that people would be in bunkers, there would be footprints, heel prints, and tire tracks. These bunkers were outside the ropes. Sorry, but I doubt you'll find that exception at the Masters.

[ajbrown]

I'm saying the player is responsible for his actions, and if he questions something there is always a PGA official close by. They usually can easily identify a bunker. That wasn't the case over the weekend. On any normal weekend you'll see an official called in to make a determination on something that seems obvious. The players are used to asking, it's nothing new.

There was a clear exception to what the players expect, it was published, posted, handed out, etc. (What they expect is no one in bunkers, raked sand, etc. What they were told is that people would be in bunkers, there would be footprints, heel prints, and tire tracks. These bunkers were outside the ropes. Sorry, but I doubt you'll find that exception at the Masters.

:agree:

I feel bad for DJ (and after his Sunday at the US Open no less), but he and his caddy should have been aware of this rule. This rule was very different than most tournaments. This rule was so different that the players should have been suspicious of any sandy area and ASKED an official if they were unsure.

That said, IMO the USGA should have made these "out of play bunkers" waste areas; but since they did not I see no other way they could have ruled here.....

PS. Sorry for my part in hijacking the thread.

[Pturner]

:agree:

I feel bad for DJ (and after his Sunday at the US Open no less), but he and his caddy should have been aware of this rule. This rule was very different than most tournaments. This rule was so different that the players should have been suspicious of any sandy area and ASKED an official if they were unsure.

That said, IMO the USGA should have made these "out of play bunkers" waste areas; but since they did not I see no other way they could have ruled here.....

PS. Sorry for my part in hijacking the thread.

I think the reason they did not do this is because then a questionable bunker would have to have been left to the discretion of an official. Such a call then would have been controversial no matter what. That's exactly why they made the local rule that all original bunkers regardless of their condition would be treated as bunkers. That way, there was no discretion by the official. He made the only call that could be made given the local rule for the tournament.

Remember, the officials did not look at the replay to determine whether the area in question was a bunker. They looked at it to make sure DJ grounded his club. The bunker was fuzzy. The local rule was clear.

Oh yes, this was not subject of this thread, was it? Me sorry 2.

[Pturner]

BTW, I have nothing against Dustin Johnson. I'd love to see him win some tournaments.

[The Great Fumar]

What I'm saying is that there was a marshal or two at the scene, but no rules official. At least I didn't see one, and the announcers didn't mention one being there. The rules official made his ruling in the trailer after reviewing the tape with the offender.

The announcers were dumbfounded by the call .....And the rules official made the call based on a TV picture and then met Johnson and Watney as they walked off the 18th green......and took them to the trailer to show them the tape......They never actually went to the spot of the alleged foul.....In my opinion it was strictly bush league.........

:sing:

[iaudit]

An unfortunate turn of events for DJ (who really should have won the match), but his reaction was puzzling after he 1st grounded the club...looking as though he knew he'd messed up...but if so, why would he then ground it again?

He stepped back the first time because there was a sliver of sunlight coming through the crowd on his ball. He asked that someone step in the opening and block the sunlight which the caddy did.

[Russ_Boston]

Some finer points:

Rules officials can not step in to make a call like "Hey Dustin, heads up, that's a bunker". They can only rule when they see an infraction or are asked about a situation.

There was indeed a rules official with every group. In fact the rules official with DJ's group said "Is there something I can do for you Dustin?" DJ responded "Yes, please help clear the path for the shot".

Iaudit is correct about the first time he stepped in. I re watched it many times on my DVR. At first I also felt he knew he did something wrong but he was concerned with the sliver of light.

Tom Rinalidi (of Sports Illustrated) reported on the locker room at the time. He indicated that at least two finished players, watching on the television said "Oh, Oh, I don't think he knows that's a bunker!". So it wasn't something that no one knew about.

In 2004 when the PGA was last played there the bunkers outside the ropes were played as waste bunkers where you could ground your club. And there was some controversy with Stuart Appleby in a real bunker and assessed a 4 stroke penalty for moving a loose impediment and grounding his club. For this reason they decided to make the rule simple and rule that ALL bunkers on the property were in play.

The call wasn't made long after the play at 18. In fact the rules official on the side of 18 was just waiting for DJ to finish to ask him if he knew that he had incurred a 2 stroke penalty.

There was no need to go back to the spot of the foul. DJ knew that he grounded his club (twice in fact). His only chance was to rule that it wasn't a bunker since the local rule was already in place about ALL bunkers being in play.

Among golfers this isn't a controversy or even a rules question while they do feel badly for DJ. But they want that course to be marked differently next time.

NOW do I think they need to clarify this for this course when the bring back the PGA and also the Ryder cup in the near future? Yes. Anything inside the ropes is a bunker. Outside the ropes are waste bunkers. And mark any questionable ones with blue dye (they actually did this for some of the bunkers this week).

[Johnshirts]

Sevvy once said that the US Ryder Cup team comprised eleven gentlemen and Paul Azinger

[tankdvr1950]

#1 is #1 (for now)....and thats Tiger.....egotistical, arrogant, crude, poor role model, and i won't go into his personal life, because thats none of my or anyone else's business

#2 is Ian Poulter....egotistical, arrogant, constant complainer

#3 is VJ....has absolutely "0" personality (not his fault i guess)....no appreciation/caring for fans (that pay a lot of his winnings)...just totally devoid of emotion

Now....to get off the negative...the PGA tour players i like:

#1 Phil "the thrill" Mickelson....great golfer....great short game....the most personable guy on tour....good family man, humble, always a positive attitude during interviews, good to/appreciates the fans, extremely fun to watch (even when he is playing poorly), with some of his creative shots, the most exciting golfer to watch....what more can you say

#2 Fred Couples....great golfer, loves the fans, always positive attitude

#3 Anthony Kim....personable, loves the fans, humble, needs to focus on his game after he recovers from his surgery and he can be really great

[Russ_Boston]

The announcers were dumbfounded by the call :sing:

Actually that's not exactly correct Fumar - Maybe the CBS guys didn't know it but on the PGA network coverage on XM the hole reporter, Brian Katrek, said something like "he's landed up here near the fans in a bunker but has a clean lie". Rich Beem, also working for XM, then discussed how being in the bunker will affect his chance of getting on the green. Or something like that.

I was listening to the XM broadcast today and they say there is audio somewhere so perhaps you could find it, I couldn't locate it.

Also the CBS crew did mention that they had a pre-production meeting and were notified that this type of situation existed. So if they knew the players SHOULD have.

Still I think they should tweak a little prior to the next major there.

[LELANDJANE]

I think it should be a rule that if they have to move people out to take the putt, it's not a bunker.

[Pturner]

Some finer points:

Rules officials can not step in to make a call like "Hey Dustin, heads up, that's a bunker". They can only rule when they see an infraction or are asked about a situation.

There was indeed a rules official with every group. In fact the rules official with DJ's group said "Is there something I can do for you Dustin?" DJ responded "Yes, please help clear the path for the shot".

Iaudit is correct about the first time he stepped in. I re watched it many times on my DVR. At first I also felt he knew he did something wrong but he was concerned with the sliver of light.

Tom Rinalidi (of Sports Illustrated) reported on the locker room at the time. He indicated that at least two finished players, watching on the television said "Oh, Oh, I don't think he knows that's a bunker!". So it wasn't something that no one knew about.

In 2004 when the PGA was last played there the bunkers outside the ropes were played as waste bunkers where you could ground your club. And there was some controversy with Stuart Appleby in a real bunker and assessed a 4 stroke penalty for moving a loose impediment and grounding his club. For this reason they decided to make the rule simple and rule that ALL bunkers on the property were in play.

The call wasn't made long after the play at 18. In fact the rules official on the side of 18 was just waiting for DJ to finish to ask him if he knew that he had incurred a 2 stroke penalty.

There was no need to go back to the spot of the foul. DJ knew that he grounded his club (twice in fact). His only chance was to rule that it wasn't a bunker since the local rule was already in place about ALL bunkers being in play.

Among golfers this isn't a controversy or even a rules question while they do feel badly for DJ. But they want that course to be marked differently next time.

NOW do I think they need to clarify this for this course when the bring back the PGA and also the Ryder cup in the near future? Yes. Anything inside the ropes is a bunker. Outside the ropes are waste bunkers. And mark any questionable ones with blue dye (they actually did this for some of the bunkers this week).

Great info. Thanks, Russ

[collie1228]

Russ, I fully agree with you that they need to look at this situation and possibly tweak it before they have another major at this course. At the very least, if they are going to allow spectators to stand and walk in bunkers, they should be identified as waste areas, where you can ground your club, and not true bunkers. When I first saw the course on Thursday, the first thing I thought was I don't ever want to play that course, as it looked not only intimidating, but possibly unfair. I'm disappointed to see that this course is going to be a Ryder Cup venue. I love the Ryder Cup, but I'm not sure I want to see it played on this particular course.

[Russ_Boston]

Another interesting golf point:

The sliver of light thing - If you'll remember when the person in the crowd said "Do you want me to just block it (the sunlight)?) DJ said "that would be great".

By doing so he may have violated Rule 14-2 (Accept physical assistance or protection from the elements). Sub decision 14-2.5 talks about "While a player may not place an object or position a person for the purpose of blocking the sunlight from his ball, he may ask a person (e.g., a spectator) who is already in position not to move, so that a shadow remains over the ball, or to move, so that his shadow is not over the ball"

By basically telling the person that it is OK to move to block the sunlight he may have been in violation of the rule.

Just an interesting day! Not for DJ though.

[Russ_Boston]

Russ, I fully agree with you that they need to look at this situation and possibly tweak it before they have another major at this course. At the very least, if they are going to allow spectators to stand and walk in bunkers, they should be identified as waste areas, where you can ground your club, and not true bunkers. When I first saw the course on Thursday, the first thing I thought was I don't ever want to play that course, as it looked not only intimidating, but possibly unfair. I'm disappointed to see that this course is going to be a Ryder Cup venue. I love the Ryder Cup, but I'm not sure I want to see it played on this particular course.

I hear you but with all those players being 10 under par or so I don't think the basic course is unfair. -11 is a very low score for a major.

Might be a great Ryder Cup venue since it is match play. This course has lots of risk/reward holes (reachable par 4's, long par 3's, routes that cut off some length etc.)

[grayesun]

Another interesting golf point:

The sliver of light thing - If you'll remember when the person in the crowd said "Do you want me to just block it (the sunlight)?) DJ said "that would be great".

By doing so he may have violated Rule 14-2 (Accept physical assistance or protection from the elements). Sub decision 14-2.5 talks about "While a player may not place an object or position a person for the purpose of blocking the sunlight from his ball, he may ask a person (e.g., a spectator) who is already in position not to move, so that a shadow remains over the ball, or to move, so that his shadow is not over the ball"

By basically telling the person that it is OK to move to block the sunlight he may have been in violation of the rule.

Just an interesting day! Not for DJ though.

Considering that infamous snow-plow game in Foxboro a few years back :thumbup:

Good take on the whole situation Russ; still puzzled why DJ's caddy was mysteriously absent during this whole situation...and with the sliver of light issue as well...he probably would have known to inadvertantly get himself in the "right spot" to provide some "accidental" assistance.

[Russ_Boston]

Actually the main rule about shadows concern caddies so he did the right thing.

I was wrong on one of my points: Walking rules officals are allowed to intevene prior to a possible infraction. So DJ's official could have said "Remember, that's a bunker this week".

Snow plow? That was an act of god!