Tiger's drop at 14 during the TPC

[Russ_Boston]

The only people who question the drop Tiger took on 14 yesterday are people who don't know the rules. And yes I'm including many announcers and former players (Johnny Miller, Steve Elkington for example).

The rule is very clear. The only thing Tiger needed to know was the last place the ball crossed the margins of the hazard. Period.

He asked his fellow competitor, Casey Wittenberg (whose job it is to protect the field), and both caddies who pointed out the spot of crossing. Tiger then took a proper drop based on that info.

This is how the rule is written in the rule book and all subsequent decisions of golf support it.

From the PGA after the incident: "Without definitive evidence, the point where Woods' ball last crossed the lateral water hazard is determined through best judgment by Woods and his fellow competitor. If that point later proves to be a wrong point (through television or other means), the player is not penalized by Rule 26-1 given the fact that a competitor would risk incurring a penalty every time he makes an honest judgment as to the point where his ball last crosses a water-hazard margin and that judgment subsequently proves incorrect (Decision 26-1/17).

If there is ANY blame it goes to Wittenberg for calling the wrong spot.

[mickey100]

That is correct. Thanks for posting.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

The only people who question the drop Tiger took on 14 yesterday are people who don't know the rules. And yes I'm including many announcers and former players (Johnny Miller, Steve Elkington for example).

The rule is very clear. The only thing Tiger needed to know was the last place the ball crossed the margins of the hazard. Period.

He asked his fellow competitor, Casey Wittenberg (whose job it is to protect the field), and both caddies who pointed out the spot of crossing. Tiger then took a proper drop based on that info.

This is how the rule is written in the rule book and all subsequent decisions of golf support it.

From the PGA after the incident: "Without definitive evidence, the point where Woods' ball last crossed the lateral water hazard is determined through best judgment by Woods and his fellow competitor. If that point later proves to be a wrong point (through television or other means), the player is not penalized by Rule 26-1 given the fact that a competitor would risk incurring a penalty every time he makes an honest judgment as to the point where his ball last crosses a water-hazard margin and that judgment subsequently proves incorrect (Decision 26-1/17).

If there is ANY blame it goes to Wittenberg for calling the wrong spot.

Why would there be any blame. Video evidence shows that the spot was fairly accurate which is all that can possibly be expected unless there was an official standing right on the spot. Even the foot soldier announcer who was following the group said that they got it right.
What a lot of people are missing here as well is that Tiger made double on the hole. If he dropped fifty yards back he still would have in all likelyhood made double. The drop was not only correct but it had no affect on the outcome of the hole, the round or the tournament. It is a non subject except to those who want to hate Tiger Woods.
I am not enthralled by what Tiger has done with his personal life, but there is no question that he is the greatest golfer on the planet today and is on schedule to possibly becoming the greatest of all time.
Every time we see him win, we are watching history being made. A Tiger victory is different than a victory by any other player. No other player playing today will be scrutinized fifty years from now like Tiger.

[George1938]

I love golf. In what other sport do you call a penalty on yourself? Folks who play the game by the rules have the integrity we would all hope to have. Those couch potatoes that call in and "Report" potential rules violations should stop watching golf and concentrate on pro football and basketball. There is holding, traveling, clutching etc. etc. on every play. They could have a ball calling in those violations and leave golf to those who know the game.

How did The Walrus improve his position by trying to keep his pants clean? How many penalties where there when the wind moved the ball after address and the player called a penalty on themselves? Some of the rules make you want to shake your head but they are there to be dealt with and golfers in general do a pretty good job of it.

The thing about the Masters event, with Tiger, boggles the mind. Wasn't there a rules official with his foursome. Would he try and cheat in front of millions? No ! He did all of his cheating incognito :-) End of my point of view !!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I love golf. In what other sport do you call a penalty on yourself? Folks who play the game by the rules have the integrity we would all hope to have. Those couch potatoes that call in and "Report" potential rules violations should stop watching golf and concentrate on pro football and basketball. There is holding, traveling, clutching etc. etc. on every play. They could have a ball calling in those violations and leave golf to those who know the game.

How did The Walrus improve his position by trying to keep his pants clean? How many penalties where there when the wind moved the ball after address and the player called a penalty on themselves? Some of the rules make you want to shake your head but they are there to be dealt with and golfers in general do a pretty good job of it.

The thing about the Masters event, with Tiger, boggles the mind. Wasn't there a rules official with his foursome. Would he try and cheat in front of millions? No ! He did all of his cheating incognito :-) End of my point of view !!

The drop at the Masters was a simple mistake. It's an easy enough thing to do. The rule seems very clear but when you are in the circumstance and the ball crosses the margin of the hazard multiple times, it's easy to make a mistake like that.
The fact that no one in the group including the rules official walking with the group noticed it until David Eger, former tournament director for the PGA Tour and the USGA, called in after hearing Tiger's description on television.

[Russ_Boston]

Why would there be any blame.

I guess I uesed blame incorrectly. Yes, my point was that there should be no blame since there is no problem with the drop.

Just irritates me when people, well respected players, like Steve Elkingon say "Never mind the great shots he made. Did you see that SPOT?" on twitter.

[batman911]

Johnny Miller brought up the issue live on TV and was later corrected by the on the ground announcer, which I believe was Roger Maltbie, who indicated that the ball had indeed crossed land where Tiger dropped the ball. Maltbie said he had a clear unobstructed view of the ball flight.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Johnny Miller brought up the issue live on TV and was later corrected by the on the ground announcer, which I believe was Roger Maltbie, who indicated that the ball had indeed crossed land where Tiger dropped the ball. Maltbie said he had a clear unobstructed view of the ball flight.

Not that it matters, but I think it was Mark Rolfing.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I guess I uesed blame incorrectly. Yes, my point was that there should be no blame since there is no problem with the drop.

Just irritates me when people, well respected players, like Steve Elkingon say "Never mind the great shots he made. Did you see that SPOT?" on twitter.


It surprises me that Elkington, who was in no position to have an opinion, would make a statement like that. Maybe he could replace Miller when he retires.

[rubicon]

:rant-rave:

[Russ_Boston]

Elk's exact Twitter feed to be fair:

23h (https://twitter.com/elkpga/status/333699124874588160)
Forget Tigers shot!!!... How good was that drop!