Play by the Rules!
The attraction of the game of golf by PGA Tour professionals and weekend hackers alike is
the fact that everyone plays by the same rules, and everyone is their own referee. Simply
put, there is no cheating in golf! However, even the best players in the world are guilty of an
unintentional, but costly violation. In this edition, we continue our countdown of the most
infamous rules violations by the sport’s top professionals that had devastating consequences.
7
Moment of Greatness
Brian Davis, a relative unknown on the PGA Tour,
made a 20 foot putt on the 18th green on the
final round of the 2010 RBC Heritage to get into a
playoff with Jim Furyk. However, Davis’ troubles in
the playoff began with his approach, a wayward
7-iron that hit the left edge of the green, rattled
off the rocks boarding Calibogue Sound and settled
among some grass and twigs. Though in the hazard,
the ball was playable, and with Furyk missing the
green, Davis’ hopes remained alive. However, on
his backswing, he brushed and moved a loose twig,
resulting in a violation of Rule 13-4 which prohibits
moving loose impediments in a hazard. Immediately
realizing his transgression and the ensuing two stroke penalty, Davis conceded victory to
Furyk. Davis could have easily let the violation slide, since it took slow motion replay to see
the twig move. However, the Englishman proved why golf is the greatest game, and called
the penalty on himself, winning the hearts of millions of golf fans around the world.
6
Fourteen plus one
Nearly four years removed from his last victory, 43 year-old Ian
Woosnam was poised to win his first British Open Championship
in 2001. Woosnam opened with a birdie on the first hole to take
the outright lead. Standing on the second tee, his caddie walked
over to him with some disturbing news. “You’re going to go
ballistic,” he said, “We’ve got two drivers in the bag.” That meant
Woosnam was carrying 15 clubs, a two-stroke penalty under
Rule 4-4a. The penalty moved Woosnam to a tie for third, and
after tossing his spare driver in the trees, he proceeded to bogey
the next two holes, effectively dropping him out of contention
for the championship.
36
Connecticut State Golf Association