How To Take Relief From Casual Water (Rule 25-1b)
Last week I was asked the following question on how to correctly take relief from casual water. I’m sure one minute spent reading my answer will avoid any confusion next time you encounter this particular situation on the golf course:
RULES OF GOLF QUESTION:
“This last weekend I spent a fabulous time playing golf, during Saturday and Sunday morning the course became rather water logged, one of the lads in a group following our three ball inadvertently found his ball in rather a deep puddle just before the 6th green and attempted to place his ball to the left of the puddle but not closer to the hole, however one of the players stated that the ball must be placed behind the puddle in line with were it went in. Is that the correct ruling. Thanks for everything”
RULES OF GOLF ANSWER:
“In fact, neither player was correct! In taking relief from casual water, an abnormal ground condition (Rule 25-1b), the ball has to be dropped, not placed. As the ball was lying through the green (i.e. not in a hazard or on the green) “the player must lift the ball and drop it, without penalty, within one club-length of and not nearer the hole than the nearest point of relief. The nearest point of relief must not be in a hazard or on a putting green. When the ball is dropped within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, the ball must first strike a part of the course at a spot that avoids interference by the condition and is not in a hazard and not on a putting green.
The player that suggested that the ball must be placed behind the puddle in line with were it went in was way off, and not just because he said it should be placed. I suspect that he was confusing casual water with a water hazard. But when taking relief from a water hazard (Rule 26-1) there is no option which refers to the line the ball took as it entered the hazard. There is an option, under penalty of one stroke, where the player may drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped.
The other point that is relevant here is the definition of casual water, which is any temporary accumulation of water on the course that is not in a water hazard and is visible before or after the player takes his stance. In other words, the area of casual water may extend a lot further than the apparent puddle that is ‘on top’ of the ground.
Remember, the nearest point of relief may be in a more unfavourable position than where the ball lies in the water. For this reason, always work out where the nearest point of relief is, Including the one club length area in which you are entitled to drop the ball (not nearer the hole) before picking up your ball.
I hope that this clarifies the situation for you. You have to read the Rules very carefully as each word can be vital to the interpretation of the circumstances.”
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Disclaimer: Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of this information on the Rules of Golf I am human and have been known to be wrong! Neither I, nor anyone connected with GolfSwingSecretsRevealed.com, shall be held responsible for any losses caused by reliance upon the accuracy or reliability of such information. Readers should refer to the full text of the rules and decisions as published in the official publications of the R&A and the USGA, The Rules of Golf 2008-2011 and Decisions on the Rules of Golf 2008-2009.
Is Fisher England’s Next Faldo?
English teenager Oliver Fisher felt the pangs of heartbreak when he missed a chance to win his maiden title on the European Tour over the weekend.
However, the 19-year-old from Chingford, Essex has all the makings of a future star, so says the man who beat him in a play-off at the Andalucian Open, Frenchman Thomas Levet.
Fisher was two shots ahead with three holes to play in Andalucia but stumbled on the stretch, allowing Levet to force a play-off, which he won at the first extra hole.
Levet, however, is convinced Fisher is the next Nick Faldo. Quite appropriate because the youngster is one of the graduates of the Faldo Junior Series. Levet even mentioned Fisher in the same sentence as that other golfing yardstick, Tiger Woods, when he said after his victory:
“I think he is going to be the next Nick Faldo because his game is unbelievable. If he stays on Tour for another few years and keeps improving the way he has done he will be at the level of Tiger, he is that good.â€
Fisher is a three-times Faldo Junior Series winner and was the youngest Walker Cup player in history in 2005 when, as a 16 year old, he played in Great Britain and Ireland’s defeat by the United States in Chicago.
In 2006, he became the youngest Brit to earn his European Tour card after qualifying school, and he turned professional soon afterwards. He finished his first year 109th on the Order of Merit.
Before the Andalucia tournament, he was 290th in the world rankings and 79th on the European money list.
For Fisher, his defeat to Levet was a lesson learned. And he will know not to make the same mistakes again. He said in a Guardian article:
“I took a four-iron at the 18th in the play-off and this time found a bunker and lost out, but I’m pretty happy with my week. I played nicely in a gusty wind and learned a lot playing with Lee (Westwood) and Thomas. I’d have loved to have won but it’s the first time I’ve been in contention on Tour and you have to learn how to lose first.â€
Westwood, once a prodigy himself, finished third in the tournament and moved up to second in the money list. Having been through some tough times as a pro, he was asked if there was any sympathy for his fellow Englishman Fisher.
Westwood’s reply highlighted the all for one attitude that pro athletes need to get to the top. He said:
“No. If he wants sympathy off his playing partners he is in the wrong game.â€
Romero, Levet and Ochoa Score Memorable Victories
The Zurich Classic of New Orleans has a history of spitting out maiden winners on the PGA Tour. Argentina’s Andres Romero is the latest one.
Romero shot a final round of three-under-par 72 to win the tournament by one stroke over Australian Peter Lonard, who closed with 67. The Argentine totalled 13-under 276 for the tournament for his first PGA Tour triumph.
He is the sixth golfer in the past seven years to use the Zurich event for their debut victory on the Tour. The 26-year-old was making his 12th start on the circuit.
But there were a few nervous moments as Romero, having had the clubhouse lead on 13 under, waited until Lonard and American Woody Auston finished their rounds.
The Australian went into the 18th needing a birdie to force a play-off but his 40-foot putt rolled three feet right and past the hole. He parred for second place.
It was even worse for Austin, who also required a birdie on the last hole to equal Romero. Austin, looking for his fourth PGA Tour title, took a double-bogey after twice finding dense rough and water. Romero said in an AP article:
“I’m very happy for my first win on the PGA Tour. I love golf. It’s my sport. I will try to play here always on the PGA Tour.â€
While Austin admitted that he choked big-time, Romero could have sympathised, having suffered a similar collapse at last year’s British Open at Carnoustie.
Despite shooting 10 birdies in the final round at Carnoustie, Romero stumbled his way to the 18th and was one stroke away from joining eventual champion Padraig Harrington and Sergio Garcia in the play-off.
He said he had learned much from that experience and his victory in the Zurich is proof of that. Harrington finished tied for fourth at the Zurich on 10-under 278 along with Austin and Nicholas Thompson.
On the European Tour, Frenchman Thomas Levet defeated teenaged Englishman Oliver Fisher in a sudden-death play-off to win the inaugural Open de Andalucia.
The 39-year-old Levet and Fisher, 19, were tied at 16-under-par 272 after 72 holes after both had scored 67s in the final round.
Levet then took advantage of Fisher’s errors to par the first extra hole at the 18th as his opponent could only manage a bogey five.
Fisher was poised to win the tournament in regulation play when he went to the 18th with a one-stroke lead. But his tee shot found water on the left and he ended with bogey, which meant a play-off.
Levet dedicated the win to his compatriot and fellow pro Raphael Jacquelin, whose father passed away recently. He said:
“Things were not very good for Raphaël as his best friend died and then his dad died. I would like to dedicate this win to his dad because I know how much he meant to his career and we want Raphaël to know we are all thinking about him right now.â€
On the LPGA Tour, Mexican Lorena Ochoa won for the second time in three starts as she lifted the Safeway International in Arizona.
Cheered on by a big Mexican gallery, Ochoa shot six-under-par 66 for a total of 22-under 266 and the lowest score at the Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club.
Ochoa is clearly the top female golfer out there after her dominating form last season.
She won the Safeway by an amazing seven shots over South Korea’s Lee Jee-young, who finished with a 72 after trailing Ochoa by a single stroke overnight. Finland’s Minea Blomqvist fired 66 to finish third on 14-under.
World number one Ochoa said she was particularly pleased to win for her Mexican fans, who look up to her as a role model. She told AP:
“It was very nice to see the support and feel the love. They care so much. They know that I play not only for me but for all of them. I’m just trying to give back something. I’m trying to really fight for my dreams and always trying to keep my head up.â€
Can I Use A GPS Device In Competitions?
In recent years we have seen a massive increase in the number of high-tech tools available to golfers. You can now choose from rangefinders, GPS systems such as SkyCaddie, launch monitors and swing analyzers, With this new technology comes some confusion as to when one can take advantage of these devices. A couple of days ago I received this question:
RULES OF GOLF QUESTION:
“Sorry to trouble you on this one – but do the Official Golf Rules allow the use of GPS yardage devices in competitions? Can you give me the appropriate rules that apply or include the question and answer in one of your really excellent Rules emails?”
RULES OF GOLF ANSWER:
“The answer to this question can be found in Rule 14-3b, part of which states “….the player must not use any artificial device or unusual equipment, …….. for the purpose of gauging or measuring distance or conditions that might affect his play.”
However, one of the changes to the Rules of Golf that became effective on January 1st is in a Note to this Rule:”The Committee may make a Local Rule allowing players to use devices that measure or gauge distance only.”
My guess is that the USGA and R&A have allowed Committees to introduce this Local Rule to help speed up play in ‘resort’ type courses. It is certainly not going to be allowed for any pro tournaments and in Ireland, where I play, it is unlikely to be adopted by member clubs, but might be introduced into some commercial ‘pay as you play’ courses.”
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Disclaimer: Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of this information on the Rules of Golf I am human and have been known to be wrong! Neither I, nor anyone connected with GolfSwingSecretsRevealed.com, shall be held responsible for any losses caused by reliance upon the accuracy or reliability of such information. Readers should refer to the full text of the rules and decisions as published in the official publications of the R&A and the USGA, The Rules of Golf 2008-2011 and Decisions on the Rules of Golf 2008-2009.
Malaysia’s Chia Wins Return Trip to Open
Malaysian pro Danny Chia earned his second shot at the British Open when he won the International Fina Qualifying – Asia earlier this week.
Asia may have their own tour but it is the dream of all players to match themselves against the world’s best players. And what better arena than the British Open, which this year is being played at Royal Birkdale.
Chia won the two-round tournament at Singapore’s Sentosa Golf Club and he will be joined at the Open by fellow qualifiers Adam Blyth, of Australia, Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing and Filipino Angelo Que.
Only four players qualified from the field with Lam and Que having to overcome Japan’s Tomohiro Kondo in a playoff to earn the last two places.
Chia scored two 69s on the par-71 course to return to the Open following his debut three years ago at St Andrews. He said in a press release:
“I feel proud to be the only Malaysian at the Open. It always feels good to be in the same event with the world’s best golfers and it’ll be my goal to play well at Royal Birkdale.â€
Blyth thought he had blown his chances of a July trip to Britain after a 73 in the first round. However, he recovered with six birdies in the second round to shoot 66 and earn second place behind Chia.
The 26-year-old Aussie, who described himself as “stoked†at qualifying for Royal Birkdale will be making his first trip to the Open.
After a 73 on Tuesday, Blyth produced a six-birdie round to earn his Open ticket. “The putts just went in today,†said the 26-year-old Aussie, who had his father Steve on caddying duty.
For Lam, it will be his second Open, having qualified for last year’s Carnoustie event. But he had to endure an anxious play-off, sealing his place with a birdie on the second extra hole with a two-foot putt.
“It feels awesome. I was so nervous and standing over the putt, my hands were just shaking. Thank God it’s over. I can’t wait to get back to the Open. It’s unbelievable to play in a Major championship. Last year was the best experience in my life and I’m looking forward to getting back there.â€
Que, meanwhile, needed four extra holes to eliminate Kondo, finally booking his ticket with a long birdie putt.
Ogilvy Ends Tiger Streak
Australian Geoff Ogilvy put himself in the major limelight with a victory at the World Golf Championships-CA Championships at the Doral Resort in Miami, Florida.
Not only did he become only the third player with more than one WGC title but he also ended the winning streak of Tiger Woods, another with more than one title.
Woods had won his five previous PGA Tour titles and, despite a fighting performance and a rain delay, was unable to dislodge the sturdy Ogilvy from the top position he had held for most of the tournament.
Ogilvy scored a final round of one-under 71 to finish at 17-under and win by one stroke over Retief Goosen, Jim Furyk and Vijay Singh. All the three runners-up closed with 68.
Woods finished just two strokes behind the winner at 15 under for the tournament after his final round of 68 to secure fifth place.
Woods and Darren Clarke were the only players with more than one WGC wins but Ogilvy, who won the 2006 US Open and the 2006 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, has now joined the club.
The Australian made nine pars on the final day and, as he told media afterwards, felt it was not good enough to win the tournament.
“I didn’t think nine pars would do it. Holding off the group is pretty nice. There was a fair bit of talent on the leaderboard. It’s nice to come in in front of them, ending the Woods’ streak.â€
Woods was hardly disappointed with his performance, given he managed to finish close to the leader in the final standings. He said he brought an error-strewn game to Miami but is hoping to be in the best shape possible for his next assignment, the Masters at Augusta.
Woods, who ruined his chances with 72 in the third round, said on the US PGA Tour website:
“I had a shot at it and just came up short. I think it’s a great sign, what happened this week, to make that many mistakes and only be two back. You want to always win every one you play in so you’ve just got to get ready for the next one.â€
Tiger started five shots behind the leader with seven holes left after bad weather forced the tournament to spill over on to Monday. Although he made a charge, he was unable to trouble Ogilvy.
On the European Tour, Alastair Forsyth beat Hennie Otto in a play-off to win the Madeira Islands Open BPI – Portugal title at the Santo da Serra course.
Both players had finished the tournament at 15-under-par 273 but Forsyth shot a birdie three at the first extra hole to claim the title.
It was a repeat of 12 years ago when Forsyth beat Otto in the play-off at the Scottish Amateur Stroke Play tournament, although that went to nine holes.
It was his second European Tour triumph having won the the Malaysian Open in 2002 with a play-off victory over Stephen Leaney.
Third place went to England’s Gary Clark, who was alone at 11 under par.
Tiger’s Major Passion Fails to Diminish His Appetite for ‘Regular’ Success
Recently, several readers commented on Tiger Woods’ mental approach to his game. They wrote about how his mental strength, more than his physical skills, is what separates him from the other players.
If that is the case, then Woods’ recent comments makes his performances on a weekly basis even more amazing.
According to a Reuters article out of Miami, Woods said the majors are more important than other tournaments. The US Masters, US Open, British Open and US PGA Championship are what matters more than the five straight PGA Tour titles he recently won.
What Woods says is hardly earth-shattering. Pro golfers have been saying that for decades even before Tiger arrived on the scene.
What makes it significant is that, despite placing more emphasis on the majors, Woods can still consistently win at “lesser†tournaments. It must require a powerful mental effort to focus on events that, in essence, don’t matter that much.
It is all about establishing a Tiger Woods legacy, as he said in the article while taking part in the World Golf Championships-CA Championship in Miami, Florida.
“You can win every tournament for the entire year but if you go 0 for 4 in the entire year in the major championships then, well it’s just that you don’t really get remembered for the number of wins in a career. It is the number of wins in major championships. Those are the biggest events. If you win one major a year, it turns a good year into a great year.â€
It just makes you think how many other pros would consider five regular titles in a single year, even without a major victory, as a great year.
Tiger has 13 major titles to his name and is hoping to become the first player to win the Grand Slam of golf – all four majors in one calendar year.
He has already been in possession of all four major trophies at the same time, but those four straight victories straddled two years.
Asians Gear Up for British Open Qualifiers
The countdown to the British Open, from an Asian standpoint at least, starts next week when 67 regional pros tee off at the International Final Qualifying.
The 36-hole event is being held at Singapore’s Sentosa Golf Club, which is on the island of the same name that houses the headquarters of the Asian Tour.
There are four places available for July’s Open at Royal Birkdale in England.
The Indian contingent will be particularly strong with world number 70 Jyoti Randhawa and Shiv Kapur leading the charge while Thailand’s Prom Meesawat and Chinnarat Phadungsil also in the line-up.
Joining them are Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing, who qualified for last year’s Open, his compatriot Mardan Mamat, Filipino Juvic Pangunsan and Japanese duo Tomohiro Kondo and Keiichiro Fukabori. Kyi Hla Han, the Asian Tour’s executive chairman said in a press release:
“This year’s IFQ will see another strong line-up from the Asian Tour. With the standards of our players improving every year, we hope to see our members contending at The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in July.â€
The Royal and Ancient’s decision to continue with the qualifier in Singapore is another feather in the cap for the Serapong golf course, which hosts the $5 million Singapore Open, the richest tournament on the Asian Tour calendar.
No Asian player had won the British Open, or any other major (unless, of course, you consider half-Thai Tiger Woods and Fijian-of-Indian-descent Vijay Singh to be Asian).
However, Royal Birkdale was the scene of a near-miss for Asia when, in 1971, Taiwan’s Mr Lu, with his now-famous pork-pie hat, finished in second place.
Ever Had Your Golf Ball Stolen By A Bird?
I recently received this question relating to Rule 18-2 and what to do if a bird picks up your golf ball and drops it in the rough!
RULES OF GOLF QUESTION:
“Hi there,
And a very good day to you, can you solve this one please. Recently I hit a nice drive landing in the centre of the fairway, when a rook swooped down and picked up my ball and dropped it in the rough!
So I was wondering should I have played it from where the rook dropped it or instead dropped or replaced as close to the point where the bird picked it up from.
Thank you”
RULES OF GOLF ANSWER:
“This has happened to me too. It also happened to tour pro, Steve Lowery on the putting green at Sawgrass, see the video here:
I assume that you ball was at rest when the rook, an outside agency, picked it up, in which case, under Rule 18-2 “If a ball at rest is moved by an outside agency, there is no penalty and the ball must be replaced.”
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Disclaimer: Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of this information on the Rules of Golf I am human and have been known to be wrong! Neither I, nor anyone connected with GolfSwingSecretsRevealed.com, shall be held responsible for any losses caused by reliance upon the accuracy or reliability of such information. Readers should refer to the full text of the rules and decisions as published in the official publications of the R&A and the USGA, The Rules of Golf 2008-2011 and Decisions on the Rules of Golf 2008-2009.
Does Tiger Deserve To Be That Good?
“Is it not sickening that Woods keeps on winning? Nobody deserves to be that good.†This was the email that greeted me on Monday morning, just hours after Tiger Woods won the Arnold Palmer Invitational by one shot.
It was from a good friend of mine, a fellow journalist and a Scot from Edinburgh. This same person hailed Woods as a revolutionary when he first appeared on the scene more than 10 years ago.
Many people, I’m sure, have by now fallen off the Woods fan club, hoping he will lose where once they applauded every victory. As for myself, I would not say I’m hoping for a Tiger victory in every tournament but neither do I dislike it when he does win, as he seems to do whenever he plays these days.
Still, there is something about a chase for records. His 64th career victory ties Ben Hogan at number three on the PGA Tour. There’s no other current pro who comes close. Jack Nicklaus’ 73 is his next target and the comes the main one, Sam Snead’s 82. Not only that, but he has a perfect record this season.
He did it with a 25-foot birdie on the final hole to pip veteran Bart Bryant before a captivated crowd that included the man himself, Arnold Palmer. Woods ended up with six-under 66 for his fifth Bay Hill triumph.
Bryant could only shake his head in disbelief, claiming that only Tiger could pull off a tournament-winning stroke like that. Woods, however, was more humble, as he said on the PGA Tour website:
“I don’t know how I did that. I just wanted to get the speed right and make sure I didn’t leave myself a second putt … and it went in. It’s pretty amazing to be in that kind of company. I’ve had an amazing run in my career, and hopefully, it continues.â€
Woods finished at 10-under 270 for his victory. Sean O’Hair closed with 69 to finish in a tie for third with Vijay Singh (69) and Cliff Kresge (67).
On the European Tour, Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell won the inaugural Ballatine’s Championship in Jeju, South Korea when he beat India’s Jeev Milkha Singh on the third extra hole.
McDowell sank a two-foot putt to win the title after closing on six-under 66 for a four-day total of 24-under 264.
Singh’s shot the same score on the final round but will rue missed chances after opening up a three-shot lead after four holes.
When the pair played the par-four 18th for the third time, Singh hit to within five feet but McDowell went even closer. In the end, the Indian hit his birdie putt wide as McDowell needed an easy tap-in to win the 330,000 euro first prize.
The tournament was co-sanctioned by the European Tour, Asian Tour and Korea PGA. It was one of the tournaments that earlier caused friction between Europe and Asia after the Europeans organised the event without Asia’s permission.
However, the two bodies have since come to an agreement to co-sanction the event, which is the first time the European Tour has come to Korea.
Let’s Talk About Golf
It seems to me unfair that golf is often labelled as staid and conservative. Nick Hornby started a revolution that allowed serious men to write seriously about football. Golf is still something that serious men snigger at.
Not only is that unfair but it leaves neglected a wealth of writing on golf that ranks as up there with the best in all sports. Writers like Bernard Darwin and Grantland Rice are among the finest sports journalists – the finest journalists – that we’ve ever had. PG Wodehouse, who I must admit other people are more slavishly devoted to than I am myself, churned out a fair few words on the game that have survived the shifting sands of time.
Nowadays authors like Mark Frost and Lawrence Donegan are using their different styles to give us new insight into the game and its history. Donegan is a bumbling heir to George Plimpton, Frost brings the history of the game alive. John Fenstein remains the only golf related winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award (A Good Walk Spoiled in 1996) but Frost’s biography of Bobby Jones is one of the best books I’ve ever read on any subject.
This wealth of literature gives us a wealth of quotes. And so, presented here in no particular order, is my entirely subjective list of the 10 greatest ever golf quotes. The only criteria for inclusion is that I like them.
1. “They call it golf because all the other four letter words were taken.†Ray Floyd
Aha Raymond! Possibly this slipped out after a bad round. But who’s not felt the same. A good quote to lighten the atmosphere when you or a friend is turning the air around the long rough blue with a compelling and imaginative litany of swear words to describe the green keeper, the course, the clubs, the ball and the game itself.
2. “Unlike the other Scotch game of whisky drinking, excess in it is not injurious to health.†Sir Walter Simpson
A fave because it shows, with humour, how golf is right up there as an icon of Scottish life. Two points though Sir Walt: Scotch is a drink not a native of Scotland – and not all of us like whisky!
3. “If God had wanted man to play golf he would have given him an elbow less left arm, short asymmetrical legs with side hinged knees and a trapezoid rib cage from which diagonally jutted a two-foot neck topped by a three-eyed head.†Alan Coren
The late Alan Coren sums up perfectly the frustrations of the game. But that frustration is part of its beauty. Be warned: in some of the artisan clubs in the former industrial heartlands of Scotland there will be players who actually do look like this. And the men are even worse!
4. “You may be a princess but if you hold the club like that you will always be a hooker.†John Jacobs to Princess Lillian of Belgium
Please God let this one be true. In fact this a quote that’s so good it probably doesn’t matter if its true or not. Not one to try on the girlfriend though.
5. “Done, Through, Washed Up†The Atlanta Constitution
The press had spoken. This headline was written about Jack Nicklaus the week before the 1986 Masters. The Golden Bear won the tournament. A quote that reminds us that every truly great athlete has the ability to confound all expectations. And a reminder to hacks like myself that journalism and hubris are often embarrassing bedfellows.
6. “He goes after a golf course like a lion at a zebra….he tries to hold its head under the water until it stops wriggling,†Jim Murray
This is a metaphor mangling of the highest order. But, because the quote was about Seve, it somehow almost makes sense.
7. “I owe a lot to my parents. Especially my mother and father.†Greg Norman
Sorry Greg but a classic sportsman quote here. David Beckham would probably have been proud of this one!
8. “I started drinking four years after I started playing golf. And I started playing golf when I was four.†John Daly
The Wild Thing probably gets a laugh out of this one. For me though it sums up the self destruct tendency that seems to haunt top sportsmen. Quotes like that make it hard not to think of Long John Daly as golf’s George Best.
9. “You can make a lot of money out of golf. Ask any of my ex wives.†Lee Trevino
Trevino, for so long golf’s clown prince, had to be included somewhere.
10. “That was a great game of golf, fellas.†Bing Crosby
Crosby’s last words are the last word on golf quotes. He died after completing his round. There are worse ways to go.
Agree with me? Or I have missed some of your favourites out? Leave your comments and share your all time top golfing quotes.
Daly Struggle for Golf’s Wildest Man
John Daly said it himself. “Hasn’t been a good day.†Not only did his swing coach Butch Harmon leave him but he was also kicked out of Arnold Palmer Invitational because he missed the pro-am.
Daly insists that missing the pro-am was because of a mix-up. He had more difficulty, however, explaining Harmon’s departure. Harmon, a former swing coach for Tiger Woods, cited Daly’s wild lifestyle as the reason.
The fact that Daly spent some time at the Hooter’s tent at the previous week’s PODs Championship, apparently drinking and signing hundreds of autographs and seeming to have a lot of fun, led to Harmon’s decision. The coach was quoted as saying:
“My whole goal for him was he’s got to show me golf is the most important thing in his life. And the most important thing in his life is getting drunk.â€
Daly, speaking to AP golf writer Doug Ferguson, was upset over both episodes. He received a sponsor’s exemption to play at the Bay Hill tournament, played a Monday pro-am and was asked to play the Wednesday pro-am as well.
PGA Tour rules dictate that missing a pro-am means disqualification from the tournament. Daly requested a morning start for Wednesday and called on Tuesday to find out his tee time. He was told 9.47am. However, that was the starting time for Thursday’s first round and not the pro-am.
What made it worse was that Nick O’Hern and Ryuji Imada were also affected because of Daly. They were alternates for the pro-am and were supposed to be in the afternoon group. When Daly didn’t show and their names were called, they were not around. The result? Instant disqualification.
“I didn’t even know that was my Thursday tee time. I should have looked into it. It stinks for me. I want to do anything I can for the tournament as a sponsor exemption. I wanted to meet the people I was playing with in the pro-am. I love Arnold Palmer to death. I called and talked to him and apologised. And the thing that upsets me is I cost Nick O’Hern and Ryuji Imada, so now I got these guys mad at me, too.â€
Daly, the former US PGA Championship winner and British Open champion, lost his PGA Tour card two years ago and plays mostly on sponsor exemptions. He has played seven events this year and missed the cut three times.
As for his bust-up with Harmon, Daly cautioned people to be wary about what is said about him. He said:
“I just wish Butch had called me before getting slapped in the face. I love Butch to death. I still think he’s the greatest coach out there. I just told him, ‘Don’t always believe what you read in the paper.’ I texted him, ‘All I wish you’d done is call me.’ It was a shock to me.â€
He defended his time at the Hooter’s tent, saying he wasn’t even playing in the tournament. He certainly thinks the world is against him, as he said:
“My life is upside-down right now. No matter what I do, it’s wrong. I’m thinking of writing a new song. I’ll call it, ‘I guess it’s my fault, even when it’s not my fault.'”
BBC Misses Out on Atwal’s Victory
India’s Arjun Atwal won the Malaysian Open for the second time in his career after he beat Sweden’s defending champion Peter Hedblom in a play-off.
But before going into Atwal’s victory, I’d like to comment a bit about the BBC website’s treatment of this piece of news.
If the BBC consider themselves a parochial news outlet that serves only Britain, then I would have no complaints.
However, I am assuming from the fact that BBC World can be seen around the global, its radio channels have an international presence and news.bbc.co.uk is accessed by millions around the world, the famous name in news is more than merely a Brit-centric mouthpiece.
It certainly didn’t come across that way from reading their report on the Malaysian Open, which is a European Tour event also sanctioned by the Asian Tour. Here is how it started:
“Britain’s Simon Dyson had to settle for third place at the Malaysian Open after leading for most of the final round.
India’s Arjun Atwal took the title, beating defending champion Peter Hedblom at the second play-off hole.â€
The article went on to say how Dyson had led until the 16th hole before a rain-break threw him off his stride.
That may be true but this is disrespectful to Atwal and Hedblom, who took part in a gripping play-off that saw the Indian win on the second extra hole.
Every other international news outlet that I read led off with Atwal winning but BBC felt it was more newsworthy that Dyson finished third.
It was a wrong call by the website editor, who should realise that the story has international implications not just British.
Anyway, Atwal surged into the lead with a eight-under-par 64 to finish the tournament on 18-under 270. Overnight leader Hedblom matched him but three-putted on the second extra hole, a par three, which Atwal parred. He said on the European Tour website:
“It is an amazing feeling. I don’t know how to put it into words. To come here and win this title twice now is incredible. I didn’t think I had a chance starting out and just relaxed from the first hole. It was only on the 11th I felt I had a chance. It is incredible.â€
Atwal last won the title in 2003 and the victory will give him plenty of confidence as he tackles the Nationwide Tour in a bid to regain his PGA Tour card.
On the PGA Tour, Sean O’Hair made the most of Stewart Cink’s collapse to the the PODS Championship in Palm Harbor, Florida.
O’Hair scored a two-under par 69 to finish with 280 and win the tournament by two strokes from six others, including Cink.
Cink had a four-shot lead after two holes of the final round but amazingly imploded in the back nine, losing four straight shots to end up with 74.
Tying Cink for second were Ryuji Imada, Troy Matterson, George McNeill, John Senden and Billy Mayfair.
Pro Golfer In Hot Water After Killing Hawk
A professional golfer faces possible consequences after hitting a hawk with a golf shot and killing it at the Grand Cypress Golf Club in Florida.
Nationwide Tour player Tripp Isenhour apologised for killing the hawk, which was being noisy as he was filming TV Show “Shoot Like A Pro†in December.
Isenhour was charged with cruelty to animals and killing a migratory bird, offences that have a maximum penalty of 14 months in jail and fines of $1,500.
The Humane Society also wants the PGA Tour to take action against the golfer.
According to a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission report, the 39-year-old Isenhour drove up to the bird after the noise it made from about 300 yards away forced another take of the scene he was filming. He drove closer to the bird in a golf cart and started taking shots at it.
The bird stayed where it was and Isenhour gave up. The hawk then moved to within 75 yards and Isenhour resumed hitting balls at it, allegedly saying: “I’ll get him nowâ€.
He eventually hit the hawk, which fell to the ground bleeding. Isenhour said in a statement:
“As soon as this happened, I was mortified and extremely upset and continue to be upset. I want to let everyone know there was neither any malice nor deliberate intent whatsoever to hit or harm the hawk. I was trying to simply scare it into flying away.â€
Dale Bartlett, the deputy manager for animal cruelty issues for the Humane Society of the United States, was quoted as saying:
“Because of the high profile nature of this case, the PGA needs to take steps to address its interest and to make it clear that they don’t condone animal cruelty.â€
Just Plane Stupid
I’m sure that devoted parents everywhere have had the same problem. Your kid has an important match to play, you’re running out of time and there is no where to park.
65 year old Robert Kadera came up with a fine solution to this problem by “parking†his Piper Clipper aeroplane on the snow covered fairways of the Crane’s Landing Golf Course at the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort in Illinois.
Stunned officials, who were expecting a crash site after worried onlookers made emergency calls, were amazed to see Kadera and his fourteen year old son walking from the plane carrying tennis racquets.
Kadera’s son, due to try out for his junior varsity tennis team, was scheduled for a last day of practice with a friend. Father and son, running late, decided that they could make better time in the plane. The golf course, just over the road from the tennis centre, was the easiest place to land.
It took the authorities seven hours to load the plane, which Kadera had equipped with skis, on to a truck and tow it away. Kadera may now face a range of punishments from being charged with trespassing and having his pilots licence revoked.
It strikes me that I have seen, and done, many scary things on the golf course but a light aircraft landing in front of me as I hit a tee shot would probably top the lot.
You’ll need to ask rules guru Barry Rhodes about the penalty for a hitting a plane that has landed on the hole in front of you!
But one thing did come to mind: if Phil, Ernie and the rest really want to stop Tiger in his tracks then they all have private planes that could do the job. Although I’m sure officials at Augusta would have something to say about their fairways becoming runways.
