Opinion & Analysis
Another USGA rules controversy at the U.S. Women’s Open
Anna Nordqvist was all class after penalty cost her the U.S. Open, posting the following on social media.
Thanks everyone for the support this week! ????????????tough break but still smiling -plenty more opportunities ahead of me!! pic.twitter.com/p2cnbdc1Su
— Anna Nordqvist (@ANordqvist) July 11, 2016
The fact that a delayed final-round penalty garnered a great deal of attention certainly isn’t what the USGA wanted on the heels of the Dustin Johnson fiasco at Oakmont.
Watch the sand move.
Anna Nordqvist will get a 2 stroke penalty.
Brittany Lang closing in US Women’s Open title. pic.twitter.com/kyreFCY1x0— Joe Trahan (@JoeTrahan) July 10, 2016
As you can see in the video above, on the second hole of a three-hole playoff between Brittany Lang and Anna Nordqvist, Nordqvist appeared to ground her club in a fairway bunker, not realizing that she had done so, and in violation of rule 13-4, the penalty for which is two strokes.
Fox, in a sort of “Well, we have to say something now that millions of people have seen this footage” moment, asked the USGA to review the footage after broadcast video made it pretty clear that Nordqvist had temporarily soled her iron in the bunker.
USGA official John Bodenhamer reviewed the replay showing the violation and made the immediate determination to tell the players of the penalty. However, the news didn’t make it to Nordvist and Lang until after the Swede had played her third shot, which would have obviously altered her approach.
“It certainly changed her game plan,” Nordqvist said. “But, you know, hopefully we can all learn from it and hopefully we can all get better.”
What can we learn? Nordqvist, certainly, will feel she should have been more careful. One can never determine a player’s intent, but it did not seems she was in any way checking the condition of the sand or attempting to gain advantage. Difficult situation, but a clear violation of the rules as they are written.
It’s the USGA that will be pressed to either work out a system of immediate video review for every shot (which is impossible), or make the case that they are determination infractions in the best manner possible in light of technological and manpower limitations.
Fans, players, the media (and likely the USGA itself) agree that the delayed-penalty look isn’t a good one for the USGA. But as long as they review video and allow input about potential infractions, it will continue to be an element of their major championships (as it is PGA Tour events and the Masters). In this case, the officials involved presented the penalty related information to the golfers as soon as soon as they could (according to a statement). In other words, things were carried out properly in relation to the rules as they are written.
This doesn’t change the fact that there’s something unsatisfying about the outcome. However, that was probably the case when Roberto De Vicenzo signed for the wrong score a the 1968 Masters and at any number of other famous tournament-deciding rules incidents.
The reality of the rules and the review process is that infractions will continue to become obvious only after the fact. And in such cases, players ought to be informed as quickly as possible if on course (as they were in this case). And as fans, we have to be prepared for scoring tent situations that alter tournament outcomes after the conclusion of play.
The Nordqvist penalty was unfortunate, but it doesn’t seem U.S. golf’s governing body will end up looking any worse for it. The same may not be able to said regarding the curious misspeach of USGA President Diana Murphy, who referred to tournament winner Brittany Lang as “Bethenny” multiple times during the trophy presentation.
For an organization that has faced steep criticism in recent weeks for an amateurish display at Oakmont, not knowing/forgetting the name of the winner of the tournament you’re conducting doesn’t exactly help.
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19th Hole
Vincenzi’s 2024 Valspar Championship betting preview: Elite ballstrikers to thrive at Copperhead
The PGA TOUR will stay in Florida this week for the 2024 Valspar Championship.
The Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort is a par 71 measuring 7,340 yards and features Bermudagrass greens overseeded with POA. Infamous for its difficulty, the track will be a tough test for golfers as trouble lurks all over the place. Holes 16, 17 and 18 — also known as the “Snake Pit” — make up one of the toughest three-hole stretches in golf and should lead to a captivating finish on Sunday.
The field is comprised of 156 golfers teeing it up. The field this week is solid and is a major improvement over last year’s field that felt the impact of players skipping due to a handful of “signature events” in a short span of time.
Past Winners at Valspar Championship
- 2023: Taylor Moore (-10)
- 2022: Sam Burns (-17)
- 2021: Sam Burns (-17)
- 2019: Paul Casey (-8)
- 2018: Paul Casey (-10)
- 2017: Adam Hadwin (-14)
- 2016: Charl Schwartzel (-7)
- 2015: Jordan Spieth (-10)
In this article and going forward, I’ll be using the Rabbit Hole by Betsperts Golf data engine to develop my custom model. If you want to build your own model or check out all of the detailed stats, you can sign up using promo code: MATTVIN for 25% off any subscription package (yearly is best value).
Key Stats For Copperhead
1. Strokes Gained: Approach
Strokes Gained: Approach grades out as the most important statistic once again this week. Copperhead really can’t be overpowered and is a second-shot golf course.
Total SG: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds (per round)
- Tony Finau (+.90)
- Nick Taylor (+.81)
- Justin Thomas (+.77)
- Greyson Sigg (+.69)
- Christiaan Bezuidenhout (+.67)
2. Good Drive %
The long hitters can be a bit limited here due to the tree-lined fairways and penal rough. Playing from the fairways will be important, but laying back too far will cause some difficult approaches with firm greens that may not hold shots from long irons.
Golfers who have a good balance of distance and accuracy have the best chance this week.
Good Drive % Over Past 24 Rounds
- Brice Garnett (+91.3%)
- Zach Johnson (+91.1%)
- Sam Ryder (+90.5%)
- Ryan Moore (+90.4%)
- Aaron Rai (+89.7%)
3. Strokes Gained: Ball Striking
Adding ball-striking puts even more of a premium on tee-to-green prowess in the statistical model this week. Golfers who rank highly in ball-striking are in total control of the golf ball which is exceedingly important at Copperhead.
SG: Ball Striking Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Xander Schauffele (+1.32)
- Keith Mitchell (+1.29)
- Tony Finau (+1.24)
- Cameron Young (+1.17)
- Doug Ghim (+.95)
4. Bogey Avoidance
With the conditions likely to be difficult, avoiding bogeys will be crucial this week. In a challenging event like the Valspar, oftentimes the golfer who is best at avoiding mistakes ends up on top.
Gritty golfers who can grind out difficult pars have a much better chance in an event like this than a low-scoring birdie-fest.
Bogey Avoidance Over Past 24 Rounds
- Brice Garnett (+9.0)
- Xander Schauffele (+9.3)
- Austin Cook (+9.7)
- Chesson Hadley (+10.0)
- Greyson Sigg (+10.2)
5. Strokes Gained: Total in Difficult Conditions
Conditions will be tough this week at Copperhead. I am looking for golfers who can rise to the occasion if the course plays as difficult as it has in the past.
Strokes Gained: Total in Difficult Conditions Over Past 24 rounds
- Xander Schauffele (+1,71)
- Min Woo Lee (+1.39)
- Cameron Young (+1.27)
- Jordan Spieth (+1.08)
- Justin Suh (+.94)
6. Course History
That statistic will tell us which players have played well at Copperhead in the past.
Course History Over Past 24 rounds
- Patrick Cantlay (+3.75)
- Sam Burns (+2.49)
- Davis Riley (+2.33)
- Matt NeSmith (+2.22)
- Jordan Spieth (+2.04)
The Valspar Championship Model Rankings
Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (27%), Good Drive % (15%), SG: BS (20%), Bogeys Avoided (13%), Course History (13%) Strokes Gained: Total in Difficult Conditions (12%).
- Xander Schauffele
- Doug Ghim
- Victor Perez
- Greyson Sigg
- Ryan Moore
- Tony Finau
- Justin Thomas
- Sam Ryder
- Sam Burns
- Lucas Glover
2024 Valspar Championship Picks
Justin Thomas +1400 (DraftKings)
Justin Thomas will be disappointed with his finish at last week’s PLAYERS Championship, as the past champion missed the cut despite being in some decent form heading into the event. Despite the missed cut, JT hit the ball really well. In his two rounds, the two-time major champion led the field in Strokes Gained: Approach per round.
Thomas has been up and down this season. He’s missed the cut in two “signature events” but also has finishes of T12 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, T12 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, T6 at the Pebble Beach AT&T Pro-Am and T3 at the American Express. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach and 6th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking in the field.
Thomas loves Copperhead. In his last three tries at the course, he’s finished T13, T3 and T10. Thomas would have loved to get a win at a big event early in the season, but avoidable mistakes and a balky putter have cost him dearly. I believe a trip to a course he loves in a field he should be able to capitalize on is the right recipe for JT to right the ship.
Christiaan Bezuidenhout +6000 (FanDuel)
Christiaan Bezuidenhout is playing spectacular golf in the 2024 season. He finished 2nd at the American Express, T20 at Pebble Beach and T24 at the Genesis Invitational before finishing T13 at last week’s PLAYERS Championship.
In his past 24 rounds, the South African ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach and 26th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking. Bezuidenhout managed to work his way around TPC Sawgrass last week with minimal damage. He only made five bogeys in the entire week, which is a great sign heading into a difficult Copperhead this week.
Bezuidenhout is winless in his PGA Tour career, but certainly has the talent to win on Tour. His recent iron play tells me that this week could be a breakthrough for the 35-year-old who has eyes on the President’s Cup.
Doug Ghim +8000 (FanDuel)
Doug Ghim has finished in the top-16 of his past five starts. Most recently, Ghim finished T16 at The PLAYERS Championship in a loaded field.
In his past 24 rounds, Ghim ranks 8th in Strokes Gained: Approach and 5th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking. In terms of his fit for Copperhead, the 27-year-old ranks 12th in Bogey Avoidance and 7th in Strokes Gained: Total in Difficult Conditions, making him a great fit for the course.
Ghim has yet to win on Tour, but at one point he was the top ranked Amateur golfer in the world and played in the 2017 Arnold Palmer Cup and 2017 Walker Cup. He then won the Ben Hogan award for the best male college golfer in 2018. He certainly has the talent, and there are signals aplenty that his talent in ready to take him to the winner’s circle on the PGA Tour.
Sepp Straka +8000 (BetRivers)
Sepp Straka is a player who’s shown he has the type of game that can translate to a difficult Florida golf course. The former Presidents Cup participant won the 2022 Honda Classic in tough conditions and should thrive with a similar test at Copperhead.
It’s been a slow 2024 for Straka, but his performance last week at the PLAYERS Championship surely provides some optimism. He gained 5.4 strokes on approach as well as 1.88 strokes off the tee. The tee-to-green game Straka showed on a course with plenty of danger demonstrates that he can stay in control of his golf ball this week.
It’s possible that the strong performance last week was an outlier, but I’m willing to bet on a proven winner in a weaker field at a great number.
Victor Perez +12000 (FanDuel)
Victor Perez is no stranger to success in professional golf. The Frenchman has three DP World Tour wins including a Rolex Series event. He won the 2019 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, as well as the 2023 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, which are some big events.
Perez earned his PGA Tour card this season and enters the week playing some fantastic golf. He finished in a tie for 16th in Florida at the Cognizant Classic and then tied for third in his most recent start at the Puerto Rico Open.
In his past 24 rounds in the field, Perez ranks 11th in Strokes Gained: Approach, 1oth in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking, 6th in Good Drive % and 15th in Bogey Avoidance.
Perez comes in as a perfect fit for Copperhead and offers serious value at triple-digit odds.
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Opinion & Analysis
Myrtle Beach, Explored: February in South Carolina
As I gain in experience and age, and familiarity breeds neither contempt nor disdain, I understand why people return to a place. A destination like Myrtle Beach offers a sizable supply and diversity of restaurants, entertainment venues, and shops that are predicated on the tenets of the service industry. Greet your customers with a smile and a kind word, and they will find comfort and assurance. Provide them with a memorable experience and they will suggest your place of business to others.
My first tour of Myrtle Beach took place in the mid-1980s, and consisted of one course: Gator Hole. I don’t remember much from that day, and since Gator Hole closed a decade later, I cannot revisit it to recollect what I’d lost. Since then, I’ve come to the Grand Strand a few times, and been fortunate to never place a course more than once. I’ve seen the Strantz courses to the south and dipped my toe in the North Carolina courses of Calabash. I’ve been to many in the middle, including Dunes, Pine Lakes, Grande Dunes among them.
2024 brought a quartet of new courses, including two at the Barefoot Resort. I’d heard about the North Myrtle Beach four-pack of courses that highlight the Barefoot property, including layouts from Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Davis Love III, and Greg Norman. I had the opportunity to play and shoot the Dye and Fazio tracks, which means that I’ll have to return to see the other two. Sandwiched between them were the TPC-Myrtle Beach course, also from Tom Fazio, and the Pawley’s Plantation trace, by the hand of Jack Nicklaus. I anticipated a bit of the heroic, and bit of the strategic, and plenty of eye candy. None of those architects would ever be considered a minimalist, so there would be plenty of in-play and out-of-play bunkers and mounds to tantalize the senses.
My nephew arrived a few days early, to screen a few more courses. As a result, you the reader will have an extra quarter of mini-reviews, bringing the total of courses in this piece to eight. It was inconceivable that CJR would play four courses that I had never played nor photographed, but that was the case. His words appear at the end of this piece. We hope that you enjoy the tour.
Main Feature: Two Barefoots, a TPC, and Pawley’s Plantation
What Paul “Pete” Dye brought back from his trips to the United Kingdom, hearkened back to what C.B. MacDonal did, some 65 years prior. There is a way of finding bunkers and fairways, and even green sites, that does not require major industrial work. The Dye course at Barefoot Resorts takes you on a journey over the rumpled terrain of distant places. If there’s one element missing, it’s the creased and turbulent fairways, so often found in England and Ireland. The one tenet of playing a Dye course, is to always aim away from temptation, from where your eyes draw you. Find the safe side of the target, and you’ll probably find your ball. It then stands that you will have a shot for your next attempt. Cut the corner, and you might have need to reload. The Barefoot course begins gently, in terms of distance, but challenges with visual deception. After two brief 4s and a 3, the real work begins. The course is exposed enough, to allow the coastal winds to dance along the fairways. Be ready to keep the ball low and take an extra club or two.
If memory serves, TPCMB is my first trek around a TPC-branded course. It had all the trappings of a tour course, from the welcome, through the clubhouse, to the practice facilities and, of course, the course. TPC-Myrtle Beach is a Tom Fazio design, and if you never visit Augusta National, you’ll now have an idea of what it is like. You play Augusta’s 16th hole twice at TPCMB, and you enjoy it both times. Fazio really likes the pond-left, green-angle-around par three hole, and his two iterations of it are memorable.
You’ll also see those Augusta bunkers, the ones with the manicured edges that drop into a modestly-circular form. What distinguishes these sand pits is the manner in which they rise from the surrounding ground. They are unique in that they don’t resemble the geometric bunkering of a Seth Raynor, nor the organic pits found in origin courses. They are built, make no mistake, and recovery from them is manageable for all levels of bunker wizardry.
If you have the opportunity to play the two Tom Fazio courses back to back, you’ll notice a marked difference in styling. Let me digress for a moment, then circle back with an explanation. It was written that the NLE World Woods course designed by Fazio, Pine Barrens, was an homage to Pine Valley, the legendary, New Jersey club where Fazio is both a member and the architect on retainer. The Pine Barrens course was plowed under in 2022, so the homage no longer exists. At least, I didn’t think that it existed, until I played his Barefoot Resort course in North Myrtle Beach.
Pine Valley might be described as an aesthetic of scrub and sand. There are mighty, forced carries to travers, along with sempiternal, sandy lairs to avoid. Barefoot Fazio is quite similar. If you’re not faced with a forced carry, you’ll certainly contend with a fairway border or greenside necklace of sand. When you reach the 13th tee, you’ll face a drive into a fairway, and you might see a distant green, with a notable absence: flagstick. The 13th is the icing on the homage cake, a callout of the 8th hole at Pine Valley. Numero Ocho at the OG has two greens, side by side, and they change the manner in which the hole plays (so they say.) At Barefoot Fazio, the right-side green is a traditional approach, with an unimpeded run of fairway to putting surface. The left-side green (the one that I was fortunate to play) demands a pitch shot over a wasteland. It’s a fitting tribute for the rest of us to play.
Be certain to parrot the starter, Leon’s, advice, and play up a deck of tees. Barefoot Fazio offers five par-three holes, so the fours and fives play that much longer. Remember, too, that you are on vacation. Why not treat yourself to some birdie looks?
The Jack Nicklaus course at Pawley’s Plantation emerged from a period of hibernation in 2024. The greens were torn up and their original contours were restored. Work was overseen by Troy Vincent, a member of the Nicklaus Architecture team. In addition, the putting corridors were reseeded with a hardier, dwarf bermuda that has experienced great success, all along the Grand Strand that is Myrtle Beach.
My visit allowed me to see the inward half first, and I understand why the resort wishes to conclude your day on those holes. The front nine of Pawley’s Plantation works its way through familiar, low country trees and wetlands. The back nine begins in similar fashion, then makes its way east, toward the marsh that separates mainland from Pawley’s Island. Recalling the powerful sun of that Wednesday morning, any round beginning on the second nine would face collateral damage from the warming star. Much better to hit holes 11 to close when the sun is higher in the sky.
The marshland holes (12 through 17) are spectacular in their raw, unprotected nature. The winds off the Atlantic are unrelenting and unforgiving, and the twin, par-three holes will remain in your memory banks for time’s march. In typical Golden Bear fashion, a majority of his putting targets are smallish in nature, reflecting his appreciation for accurate approach shots. Be sure to find the forgiving side of each green, and err to that portion. You’ll be grateful.
Bonus Coverage: Myrtlewood, Beechwood, Arrowhead, and King’s North
Arrowhead (Raymond Floyd and Tom Jackson)
A course built in the middle of a community, water threatens on most every hole. The Cypress 9 provides a few holes forcing a carried drive then challenge you with water surrounding the green. On Waterway, a drivable 2nd hole will tempt most, so make sure the group ahead has cleared the green.
Myrtlewood (Edmund Alt and Arthur Hills) and Beechwood (Gene Hamm)
A middle of the winter New Englander’s paradise. Wide open fairways, zero blind shots and light rough allow for shaking off the rust and plenty of forgiveness. A plethora of dog legs cause one to be cautious with every tee shot. Won’t break the bank nor the scorecard.
King’s North @ Myrtle Beach National (Arnold Palmer)
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19th Hole
Vincenzi’s 2024 Players Championship betting preview: Pete Dye specialists ready to pass tough TPC Sawgrass test
The PGA Tour heads to TPC Sawgrass to play in one of the most prestigious and important events of the season: THE PLAYERS Championship. Often referred to as the fifth major, the importance of a PLAYERS victory to the legacy of a golfer can’t be overlooked.
TPC Sawgrass is a par-72 measuring 7,245 yards and featuring Bermudagrass greens. Golfers must be patient in attacking this Pete Dye course.
With trouble lurking at every turn, the strokes can add up quickly. With a par-5 16th that is a true risk-reward hole and the famous par-3 17th island green, the only safe bet at TPC Sawgrass is a bet on an exciting finish.
THE PLAYERS Championship field is often referred to as the strongest field of the year — and with good reason. There are 144 in the field, including 43 of the world’s top 50 players in the OWGR. Tiger Woods will not be playing in the event.
THE PLAYERS is an exceptionally volatile event that has never seen a back-to-back winner.
Past Winners at TPC Sawgrass
- 2023: Scottie Scheffler (-17)
- 2022: Cameron Smith (-13)
- 2021: Justin Thomas (-14)
- 2019: Rory McIlroy (-16)
- 2018: Webb Simpson (-18)
- 2017: Si-Woo Kim (-10)
- 2016: Jason Day (-15)
- 2015: Rickie Fowler (-12)In this article and going forward, I’ll be using the Rabbit Hole by Betsperts Golf data engine to develop my custom model. If you want to build your own model or check out all of the detailed stats, you can sign up using promo code: MATTVIN for 25% off any subscription package (yearly is best value).
5 Key Stats for TPC Sawgrass
Let’s take a look at five metrics key for TPC Sawgrass to determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their last 24 rounds.
1. Strokes Gained: Approach
Strokes Gained: Approach has historically been far and away the most important and predictive stat at THE PLAYERS Championship. With water everywhere, golfers can’t afford to be wild with their iron shots. Not only is it essential to avoid the water, but it will also be as important to go after pins and make birdies because scores can get relatively low.
Total SG: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds
- Tom Hoge (+1.37)
- Scottie Scheffler (+1.20)
- Tony Finau (+0.99)
- Jake Knapp (+0.83)
- Shane Lowry (+0.80)
2. Total Driving
This statistic is perfect for TPC Sawgrass. Historically, driving distance hasn’t been a major factor, but since the date switch to March, it’s a bit more significant. During this time of year, the ball won’t carry quite as far, and the runout is also shorter.
Driving accuracy is also crucial due to all of the trouble golfers can get into off of the tee. Therefore, players who are gaining on the field with Total Driving will put themselves in an ideal spot this week.
Total Driving Over Past 24 Rounds
- Rory McIlroy (22)
- Akshay Bhatia (25)
- Keith Mitchell (25)
- Adam Hadwin (34)
- Sam Burns (+39)
3. Strokes Gained: Total at Pete Dye Designs
TPC Sawgrass may be Pete Dye’s most famous design, and for good reason. The course features Dye’s typical shaved runoff areas and tricky green complexes. Pete Dye specialists love TPC Sawgrass and should have a major advantage this week.
SG: Total (Pete Dye) per round over past 36 rounds:
- Patrick Cantlay (+2.02)
- Scottie Scheffler (+1.90)
- Min Woo Lee (+1.77)
- Sungjae Im (+1.72)
- Brian Harman (+1.62)
4. Strokes Gained: Ball Striking
Prototypical ball-strikers have dominated TPC Sawgrass. With past winners like Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Webb Simpson, Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas, it’s evident that golfers must be striking it pure to contend at THE PLAYERS.
SG: Ball Striking Over Past 24 Rounds
- Scottie Scheffler (+2.02)
- Tony Finau (+1.51)
- Tom Hoge (+1.48)
- Keith Mitchell (+1.38)
- Will Zalatoris (+1.18)
5. Par 5 Average
Par-5 average is extremely important at TPC Sawgrass. With all four of the Par-5s under 575 yards, and three of them under 540 yards, a good amount of the scoring needs to come from these holes collectively.
Par 5 Average Over Past 24 Rounds
- Scottie Schefler (+4.31)
- Erik Van Rooyen (+4.35)
- Doug Ghim (+4.34)
- Wyndham Clark (+4.34)
- Matt Fitzpatrick (+4.31)
6. Strokes Gained: Florida
We’ve used this statistic over the past few weeks, and I’d like to incorporate some players who do well in Florida into this week’s model as well.
Strokes Gained: Florida over past 30 rounds:
- Scottie Schefler (+2.43)
- Erik Van Rooyen (+1.78)
- Doug Ghim (+1.78)
- Wyndham Clark (+1.73)
- Matt Fitzpatrick (+1.69)
7. Strokes Gained: Total on Courses with High Water Danger
With water everywhere at TPC Sawgrass, the blow-up potential is high. It can’t hurt to factor in some players who’ve avoided the “eject” button most often in the past.
Strokes Gained: Total on Courses with High Water Danger over past 30 rounds:
- Scottie Schefler (+2.08)
- Rory McIlroy (+1.82)
- Tony Finau (+1.62)
- Patrick Cantlay (+1.51)
- Will Zalatoris (+1.49)
THE PLAYERS Championship Model Rankings
Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (25%), Total Driving (20%), SG: Total Pete Dye (14%), SG: Ball-striking (15%) SG: Par 5 (8%), SG: Florida (10%) and SG: High Water (8%).
- Scottie Scheffler
- Shane Lowry
- Tony Finau
- Corey Conners
- Keith Mitchell
- Justin Thomas
- Will Zalatoris
- Xander Schauffele
- Cameron Young
- Doug Ghim
- Sam Burns
- Chris Kirk
- Collin Morikawa
- Si Woo Kim
- Wyndham Clark
2024 THE PLAYERS Championship Picks
(All odds at the time of writing)
Patrick Cantlay +2500 (DraftKings):
Patrick Cantlay is winless since the 2022 BMW Championship but is undoubtedly one of the most talented players on the PGA Tour. Since the win at Wilmington Country Club, the 31-year-old has twelve top-10 finishes on Tour and is starting to round into form for the 2024 season.
Cantlay has done well in the most recent “signature” events this season, finishing 4th at Riviera for the Genesis Invitational and 12th at Bay Hill for the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The former Tour Championship winner resides in Jupiter, Florida and has played some good golf in the state, including finishing in a tie for 4th at the 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational. His history at TPC Sawgrass has been up and down, but his best career start at The PLAYERS came last year when he finished in a tie for 19th.
Cantlay absolutely loves Pete Dye designed courses and ranks 1st in the field in Strokes Gained: Total on Dye tracks in his past 36 rounds. In recent years, he’s been excellent at both the RBC Heritage and the Travelers Championship. TPC Sawgrass is a place where players will have to be dialed in with their irons and distance off the tee won’t be quite as important. In his past 24, rounds, Cantlay ranks in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach.
Despite being winless in recent years, I still believe Cantlay is capable of winning big tournaments. As one of the only United States players to bring their best game to Marco Simone for the Ryder Cup, I have conviction that the former top amateur in the world can deliver when stakes are high.
Will Zalatoris +3000 (FanDuel):
In order to win at TPC Sawgrass, players will need to be in total control of their golf ball. At the moment, Will Zalatoris is hitting it as well as almost anyone and finally has the putter cooperating with his new switch to the broomstick style.
Zalatoris is coming off back-to-back starts where he absolutely striped the ball. He finished 2nd at the Genesis Invitational and 4th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational where his statistics were eye opening. For the week at Bay Hill, Zal gained 5.0 strokes on approach and 5.44 strokes off the tee.
Throughout the early part of his career, Zalatoris has established himself by playing his best golf in the strongest fields with the most difficult conditions. A tough test will allow him to separate himself this week and breakthrough for a PLAYERS Championship victory.
Shane Lowry +4000 (DraftKings):
History has shown us that players need to be in good form to win the PLAYERS Championship and it’s hard to find anyone not named Scottie Scheffler who’s in better form that Shane Lowry at the moment. He finished T4 at the Cognizant Classic followed by a solo third place finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
The fact that the Irishman contended at Bay Hill is a great sign considering he’s really struggled there throughout his career. He will now head to a different style of course in Florida where he’s had a good deal of success. He finished 8th at TPC Sawgrass in 2021 and 13th in 2022.
Lowry ranks 6th in the field in approach in his past 24 rounds, 7th in Strokes Gained: Total at Pete Dye designed courses in his last 30 rounds, 8th in par 5 scoring this season, and 4th in Strokes Gained: Total in Florida over his past 36 rounds.
Lowry is a player who’s capable of winning big events. He’s a major champion and won another premier event at Wentworth as well as a WGC at Firestone. He’s also a form player, when he wins it’s typically when he’s contended in recent starts. He’s been terrific thus far in Florida and he should get into contention once again this week.
Brian Harman +8000 (DraftKings):
(Note: Since writing this Harman’s odds have plummeted to 50-1. I would not advise betting the 50).
Brian Harman showed us last season that if the course isn’t extremely long, he has the accuracy both off the tee and with his irons to compete with anyone in the world. Last week at Bay Hill and was third in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, gaining 5.54 strokes on the field in the category.
In addition to the strong iron play, Harman also gained strokes off the tee in three of four rounds. He’s also had success at Pete Dye tracks recently. He finished 2nd at last year’s Travelers Championship and 7th at the RBC Heritage.
It would be a magnificent feat for Harman to win both the Open Championship and PLAYERS in a short time frame, but the reality is the PGA Tour isn’t quite as strong as it once was. Harman is a player who shows up for the biggest events and his odds seem way too long for his recent track record.
Tony Finau +6500 (FanDuel):
A few weeks ago, at the Genesis Invitational, I bet Hideki Matsuyama because I believed it to be a “bet the number” play at 80-1. I feel similarly about Finau this week. While he’s not having the season many people expected of him, he is playing better than these odds would indicate.
This season, Tony has a tied for 6th place finish at Torrey Pines, a tied for 19th at Riviera and tied for 13th at the Mexico Open. He’s also hitting the ball extremely well. In the field in his past 24 rounds, he ranks 3rd in Strokes Gained: Approach, 3rd in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking, 6th in Par 5 average and 15th in Total Driving.
Finau’s problem has been with the putter, which has been undeniably horrific. However, this week he will see a putting surface similar to the POA at TPC Scottsdale and PGA West, which he’s had a great deal of success on. It’s worth taking a stab at this price to see if he can have a mediocre week with the flat stick.
Sungjae Im +9000 (FanDuel):
It’s been a lackluster eighteen months for Sungjae, who once appeared to be a certain star. While his ceiling is absolutely still there, it’s been a while since we’ve seen Im play the type of golf expected of a player with his talent.
Despite the obvious concerns, the South Korean showed glimpses of a return to form last week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He tied for 18th place and gained strokes off the tee, on approach, around the green and with the putter. When at his best, Im is a perfect course fit for TPC Sawgrass. He has remarkable precision off the tee, can get dialed in with his irons on shorter courses and can get up and down with the best players on Tour.
This number has gotten to the point where I feel comfortable taking a shot on it.
Billy Horschel +20000 (FanDuel):
Billy Horschel is a great fit on paper for TPC Sawgrass. He can get dialed in with his irons and his lack of distance off the tee won’t be a major detriment at the course. “Bermuda Billy” does his best work putting on Bermudagrass greens and he appears to be rounding into form just in time to compete at The PLAYERS.
In his most recent start, Billy finished in a tie for 9th at the Cognizant Classic and hit the ball extremely well. The former Florida Gator gained 3.32 strokes on approach and 2.04 strokes off the tee. If Horschel brings that type of ball striking to TPC Sawgrass, he has the type of putter who can win a golf tournament.
Horschel has been great on Pete Dye designed courses, with four of his seven career PGA Tour wins coming on Dye tracks.
In a season that has seen multiple long shots win big events, the 37-year-old is worth a stab considering his knack for playing in Florida and winning big events.
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Mat
Jul 22, 2016 at 8:35 pm
So maybe the rule is amended that if sand happens to be touched in a backswing, there is no penalty?
I like the idea that tournament golf requires players, caddies, or walking officials to call a penalty. If one is called, video evidence can potentially clear the penalty. But there is absolutely no need for mistakes to be called in. Simply put, a missed call is rub-of-the-green. The last thing anyone wants is for a player to be known as a cheat. As such, if they zoom in on this sand and say “she didn’t call it” – the commentators would be saying that there’s no way she could have known, so no big deal. Instead, we have this nonsense.
RG
Jul 12, 2016 at 10:44 am
If the HD camera was there would she have even known that she touched the sand? Since there is no video of every bunker shot from every player in the field , how can the USGA selectively use it to call a penalty? Where’s the equity? How can you say that to monitor some players with cameras and not all players is equitable?. How do we KNOW FOR A FACT that Brittany Lang did not commit some similar infraction earlier in the tournament? The trail in the sand was caused by the ball entering the bunker and not the club. If there is ANY doubt about that, THE PLAYER GETS THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT! IT IS UP TO THE PLAYER TO CALL THE PENALTY, NOT THE TV ANNOUNCERS, THE AUDIENCE OR THE EVEN THE RULES OFFICIALS!!! If she says she didn’t touch the sand, or if in her back swing she inadvertently nicks a grain or two and she is not aware she has done so, SHE HAS NOT INTENTIONALLY TESTED THE SURFACE and THERE IS NO PENALTY!!!! USGA is way out of order AGAIN!
RG
Jul 12, 2016 at 10:49 am
First sentence should say “cameras were not there”
Ramrod Ray Reardon
Jul 12, 2016 at 7:47 am
Golf and its rules are embarassing. Truly cringeworthy, outdated unfair nonsense. This is a game that wants to grow, and yet such incredibly stupid episodes as this are being broadcast to the world.
As for this latest nonsense, if Lang had any class she would have refused the win and the title. She didn’t win it, she was handed it by stupid rules. Who could draw any satisfaction or pride from that?
I noticed that Juli Inkster was commentating for whichever feed we got through SKY in the UK. This is the same person who bullied the European Solheim cup team into bending the rules for the benefit of her team. I didn’t hear her suggesting that lang refused the title for the benefit of one of her peers, as she asked to Europeans to do.
Well done also to the american cameraman for stirring it up for the benefit of the yank player.
USGA Penalty Enforcer
Jul 20, 2016 at 12:35 pm
For this comment you will be assessed a 2 stroke penalty. 1 stroke for pointing out how stupid some of the rules are, and how over bearing and over the top they are. 1 stroke for the loss of distance the USGA is trying to gain in growing a younger eager fan base to fill in for the old guys as they retire.
KJ
Jul 11, 2016 at 9:19 pm
Not cool. Very poor attempt at humor.
Snoopy
Jul 11, 2016 at 8:47 pm
Once again they got this so wrong. I love the game of golf. I respect the rules. I respect the need for strict rules in this game, because there are so many players and no way to catch them if they all tried their hardest to cheat. I would never cheat the game. And that is why yet again, the USGA, in an attempt to show how “tough” they are, make a mockery of the game of golf.
I’m a software engineer. Effectively, I write the rules that computer systems are supposed to follow. So when my program makes an erroneous calculation, I don’t tell my client “sorry, rules are rules”, I THROW OUT THE BAD COMPUTATION, COMPUTE THE CORRECT ANSWER, AND THEN CHANGE THE GODDAM RULE. It’s clear that in this situation in particular, even more so than both DJ situations, the rules failed. In my opinion, the purpose of the rules of golf are to A) define the game and B) ensure fairness between players. The purpose is NOT to hand out as many penalties as possible. The USGA took the result of the tournament out of the players hands by trying their very hardest to enforce the rules to their fullest extent. *BUT THIS IS NOT THE PURPOSE OF THE RULES*. The purpose is to ensure a fair competition between the players.
I could keep ranting but I want to move on. The rule says you can’t ground your club. The rule says you can’t touch the sand. She touched the sand. I get it. But the PURPOSE of this rule, is to prevent players from gaining and advantage or otherwise altering the shot they are about to face, and that is not what happened.
Last point: make it so that rules violations may only be called by players, caddies, and walking officials. Once a violation is called, video evidence may be used, and usga officials can rule. I don’t see how this would change the spirit of the game, players are still expected to call penalties on themselves. But if one of the active parties does not call a violation, then move on. If there is video evidence of a violation, but nobody called it, then too bad, watch more carefully. If a player routinely makes uncalled infractions, then don’t let them play in your tournament. They can go play on a different tour, for less money. The PGA, LPGA, US Open, and US Womens open, are supposed to be competitions among the best golfers, not exhibitions of the rules of golf.
Ana doesn’t deserve special credit for pretending she is not upset by the ruling. I would have taken my wedge and chipped the ball into the water, making sure to leave a crater in the green before walking off the course with a DQ. Life isn’t about money or class, it’s about standing up for what’s right, no matter how hard or painful that might be.
RedX
Jul 12, 2016 at 1:16 am
Give us peace Snoopy – life is about class (or it should be)
And here’s the rub – class is not incompatible to “standing up for what’s right…”
Anna will be upset (with herself) she’s just not bleeting to the world about injustice as she doesn’t think there is any. She’s a golfer and gets it.
Move on Snoopy (without making the crater in the green please – selfishness is never the answer)
ffs
Jul 11, 2016 at 8:45 pm
I love Anna even more. What a classy gal.
ffs
Jul 11, 2016 at 8:44 pm
signed by a fake Smizzle, I reckon
Mississauga Jim
Jul 11, 2016 at 5:39 pm
I wrote an email to the USGA saying that, yes she inadvertently caused a couple of grains of sand to move, only visible to an HD camera not, the human eye. So, why not equitably review the entire tournament from start to finish? This is clearly selective punishment. Plus, the cameraman was American. If the cameraman never said anything , would this had happened?
A very hollow victory unfortunately. Maybe Lang would have won. But not this way.
RedX
Jul 11, 2016 at 6:13 pm
Bank robbery (Bobby Jones’ analogy not mine) caught on CCTV…..
Judge says “evidence ineligible in court because all banks in town don’t have CCTV and we may have missed a robbery elsewhere” What a laughing stock that would be!
I hear the “no advantage gained argument” but allowing that level of subjectivity would just make the position more difficult. Doubt Jones gained advantage from his infringement in the ’25 Open. Going on to lose in a playoff. But he calls it and accepts it all the same. That’s golf!
In this case Anna has showed her class. Not at the time as she was unaware but in the way she accepted it like a champion. She doesn’t present like she’s the main story. She knows golf is the story. Clearly Anna would be mortified to have someone say – just let it pass.
That is not what a true golfer would do or think.
Some people here need to step back and reflect.
If you want to take advantage of the next guy (your fellow competitor) or complain that’s its too tough. Play a different game.
Snoopy
Jul 11, 2016 at 8:56 pm
Yes but Anna didn’t call the penalty. There is no humanly possible way she, or anyone standing around the bunker, could have seen the violation. Some bozo in the Fox truck called the USGA. Remember, golf is a game played by humans. I don’t think it’s right for evidence captured beyond human perception to be used. And in a court of law, certain evidence cannot be introduced without a warrant, like wiretap recordings for example. It doesn’t matter if you have Al Capone admitting a crime on tape if you didn’t properly receive a warrant for the wiretap. Not saying this is right or wrong, but that’s just how it is. And an HD camera zoomed in on Anna’s ball is totally unwarranted. My solution? Assign a trained walking observer to each player. The player is still expected to call their own penalties, but if neither the player or observers sees one, then move on. If there is a dispute, go to the video evidence.
Gordy
Jul 12, 2016 at 8:49 am
That is such a terrible example and has absolutely nothing to do with what is going on here. Imagine you have a football game, where one team has the cameras for replay on them the entire game and the other team does not. A call is overturned on them losing causing them to lose the game, but the other team does not. The entire sports world would be up in arms. I do concur with the level of subjectivity argument you present. The rules are the rules either you abide by them or you don’t. However, how they determine you abide by those rules should be the same for everyone. Not just the select few.
Dave
Jul 11, 2016 at 4:35 pm
It’s a rule it was broken penalty given and taken in great stride. Let it be
stephenf
Jul 11, 2016 at 3:09 pm
Yeah, sorry. The Men’s Open shouldn’t have been considered a “controversy,” and this incident in the Women’s Open even less so. And it was certainly _not_ an “amateurish display at Oakmont,” although people who don’t know any better continue to yap on about it.
The question at Oakmont was whether there was a violation, and secondly, whether the USGA was reasonable to investigate whether there had been one. It is a sign of the further decline of the game into the standards and expectations of other pro sports that so many people, including (very disappointingly) many pros, are still screaming about the fact that poor DJ didn’t “know where he stood” because the USGA “took so long to decide.”
Aside from that continued slide of this game into whiny pro-sports-ism, this is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the rules and the game. In a situation like that, the ruling takes however long it takes. What matters is whether the USGA was reasonable in determining that there was reason to look into it, and secondly, whether they did it as quickly as they could under the circumstances. The question is _not_ whether any specific competitor “knows where he stands.” There is nothing in the rules that guarantees a player perfect knowledge at all times regarding his place in the field. The player is expected to play on and shoot the best score he can, regardless. You can’t hold up the field, or even the guy he’s paired with, for a ruling that might take some serious time.
(Incidentally, the _real_ “controversy” at Oakmont should’ve been over the line-of-sight drop Johnson got out of an absolutely horrific lie in the rough, into a perfect lie — from which he hit a shot directly _over_ the tower and near the pin. That’s in addition to the fact that the actual nature of his shot from the original lie almost certainly would’ve put his line of play back into the fairway short of the green anyway. Some people can sleep just fine after something like that may have been a big factor in a tournament win. Others can’t. After that, I’m pretty much through with hearing any more about how poor Dustin is always a victim of the rules. Remember all the whining at Whistling Straits, where all players had been informed of similar bunkers around the course? Yeah. Really don’t want to hear any more from people who seem not to understand what the game is about, _especially_ those who think this is a game where penalties should “get called on” players by outside officials, like it’s MLB or the NBA.)
At the Women’s Open, the argument for holding up play until the ruling was made is a little better, since asking the two players to wait a minute or two wouldn’t have held up other players (as it would’ve at Oakmont). But then, if the USGA had done so, people would be out here b!tching about how they interrupted play. Meanwhile, the ruling was made in only a couple of minutes. Getting it wrong either way would’ve been grossly unfair to one player or the other, and it would’ve altered the history of the record books forever, wrongly and irrevocably.
Also, getting it wrong either way would’ve led to yet another series of tirades against the USGA by hindsighters who looked at the video endlessly. They had a couple of minutes; you had forever. See how that goes? If your three-minute decision isn’t as perfect as anybody else’s three-day decision, you’ll be reviled forever. The clock’s ticking, genius. Have you made the call yet? Are you sure? _How_ sure?
And what if the ruling had been in Nordqvist’s favor instead, and if this had been determined after both players had been stopped and told a ruling was in progress? Then play would’ve been stopped for nothing. What then? Yet more unlimited b!tching by hindsighters out here. So there’s still _more_ pressure for getting it right.
What people need to do is to stop being ignorant, stop imposing the expectations of other pro sports onto golf, and just chill. The USGA is good at what it does, and nobody in either of these situations was cheated out of anything. Dustin Johnson and his supporters apparently don’t know this. Anna Nordqvist clearly does.
Abolish the USGA
Jul 11, 2016 at 3:56 pm
That reply is longer than the article……
Tom
Jul 11, 2016 at 10:54 pm
don’t ask him what time it is.
Brian
Jul 11, 2016 at 5:48 pm
“Also, getting it wrong either way would’ve led to yet another series of tirades against the USGA by hindsighters who looked at the video endlessly. They had a couple of minutes; you had forever.”
Honestly, how long should it have taken? It took Azinger, Faxon, Inkster, and most of us watching the replay on t.v about 10 seconds to see the violation and know it was a penalty. It should’ve only taken another 30 seconds (at most) to radio the ruling down to the official walking with the group. There was enough time to notify these women well before their 2nd shots, much less 10 minutes later. It was just another “black eye” to the USGA.
Any brilliant insight on the awards ceremony debacle? How does the USGA not know the woman’s name? It is actually engraved on the trophy that is being presented.
Snoopy
Jul 11, 2016 at 9:10 pm
You lost all credit when you said the controversy was the LOS drop. That was a routine drop that nobody questioned, and another proper use of the rules by DJ. Lexi Thompson did a similar thing in this tournament, by choosing to drop onto a cartpath, then choosing to drop on a slope that would not hold the ball so that she could place her ball in the rough. Golf is supposed to be a competition between two golfers, not an exercise in self flagellation.
Jason
Jul 11, 2016 at 1:56 pm
The problem with using video evidence to enforce rules violations is that it is not equitably used across the entire field. A qualifier playing first thing in the morning on Thursday in front of zero spectators and with no cameras on him/her will not have the same scrutiny as the leader playing in the final round on Sunday. The rules are the same for everyone but their enforcement is not and thats against the spirit of the rules.
stephenf
Jul 11, 2016 at 3:11 pm
Understand the point, but it’s still true that no player who understand the nature of this game would want to win a tournament while having factually committed an unpenalized violation, no matter how that violation comes to light.
Paul
Jul 11, 2016 at 1:56 pm
She touched a grain of Sand, it is a penalty, clearly written. What about a grassed hazard, you can brush the top of the grass, why isn’t that a penalty? Probably because the grass does not get dislodged. I think it has to be black or white in the sand. Not an advantage rule. Too hard to police in Golf. Can you imagine the delays if they had to determine what was an advantage and what was not?
Putting is easy to fix. If you touch the ball with your putter it is one stroke and play it where it lies. If the ball moves while addressing it, replace and no penalty. They want 13 -15 stimped greens they have to expect the ball to move around sometimes.
RedX
Jul 11, 2016 at 1:56 pm
Great attitude Anna. All class.
Congratulations for showing the way.
No controversy here.
Disappointing beat up in the slant of the article which is just fueling the “we know better” crowd. If the USGA took some of the proposed changes in here on board we would be in a bigger mess. No doubt.
It’s not broken (or certainly not enough to make changes to further detriment). Get over it and play on!
stephenf
Jul 11, 2016 at 3:11 pm
Finally, somebody who actually gets it.
RedX
Jul 11, 2016 at 8:07 pm
I’m with you stephenf.
Being in a minority of views certainly doesn’t make you less correct.
Bring on the fun at Royal Troon this week.
Can’t wait.
Christopher
Jul 11, 2016 at 1:49 pm
It was terribly unfortunate timing, if it had happened during the first round no-one would have batted an eye. But the rule is the same for everyone. The rule is defined to avoid any grey areas of definition, you touch the ground and you’re penalized.
gunmetal
Jul 11, 2016 at 7:01 pm
But that there is the problem. The rule isn’t the same for everyone. Technically it is, but in reality it’s not. If you don’t have an HD zoom lens on you and you don’t feel or see a grain of sand move (like Anna didn’t see), then nothing happens. Either we have outside agencies policing every shot of every player or we don’t have any. That is if we want a level playing field of course.
Christopher
Jul 13, 2016 at 3:50 pm
I agree. From a observing stand-point every player isn’t treated equally. But I’m sure a player can make 100% sure that they don’t ground their clubs. It would also benefit the players and fans that when there are only two players on a course that they revert to an “on-course officials’ eyes are final” state of affairs. If they didn’t spot the infraction, then they should leave it at that. The same with Dustin Johnson, if the on-course official said it was fine his word should have been final. I’ve seen a player asking if a ruling can be overturned if the drop he was about to be given was incorrect and the official said “No, my word is final.” So I’m not sure why that rule was changed?
gunmetal
Jul 11, 2016 at 1:44 pm
Penalty? Yes.
Level Playing field? NO.
Unless golf is willing to give every shot by every competitor this type of HD zoom coverage, then this is entirely BS. It gives an unfair advantage to the average player who catches fire during the 3rd round or an early 4th round tee time while there are no cameras around.
This First Tee crap about honesty and integrity is growing tired. They claim golf is a sport about integrity and honesty but then they police the sport to this degree (but only if you’re in contention)?!?!? Nordqvist obviously didn’t feel the grain of sand move. She probably didn’t see it. AND IT ABSOLUTELY DIDN’T GIVE HER AN ADVANTAGE. Time to rethink things USGA
talljohn777
Jul 11, 2016 at 1:28 pm
Sounds like the USGA once again did not have a rules official in the booth sitting next to a TV, which once again delayed the ruling and then they did not immediately notify the walking officials. This could have been done much, much quicker in both cases. Completely insane….
es
Jul 11, 2016 at 1:01 pm
I think Rule 18-2 specifically 18.4 needs to be expanded to include this.
Remember this from 2013?
“The Decision ensures that a player is not penalized under Rule 18-2 in circumstances where the fact that the ball had changed location could not reasonably have been seen without the use of enhanced technology,” said the joint statement from the USGA and R&A.
The new rule, 18.4, clearly states what it does. “Where enhanced technological evidence shows that a ball has left its position and come to rest in another locations, the ball will not be deemed to have moved if that movements was not reasonably discernible to the naked eye at the time.”
Grizz01
Jul 11, 2016 at 1:00 pm
I think there should be a few rule changes… always have, going on 40 years now.
1. You may tap down spike marks. How silly is this rule? The guy in front of you can ‘accidently’ drag his foot in hoping that it will interfere with your play.
2. Declare all sand traps and bunkers, … wast bunkers. Which mean you can ground your club. But you still have to rake it.
3. (pet peeve) You get a stroke penalty for not fixing your ball mark on the green. Yea, I know most everyone on tour does this. But the average player seems inept of bending over and fixing it.
Chuck
Jul 11, 2016 at 1:39 pm
Don’t you think that the USGA and the R&A have thought about all of that? Of course they have. And the answers are glaringly obvious.
1. Once you start allowing spike marks to be tamped down, players of all abilities will start to tamp down everything in the path of 20-foot putts. And everything within a foot of what they think that line is. Tour players will do it all the time, everywhere, on tv and recreational players will learn and play on the greens will grind to a near-standstill.
2. Once you start allowing the grounding of clubs in bunkers, you will see players doing just that, and improving lies ways that are obvious and less obvious. Bunker play will become a bad joke of a hazard.
3. Give me a break. Besides the basic unseriousness of this proposal, it raises another question I have for you. How big a deal is it for you to comply with the Rules as currently written? No problem, I presume. And if you don’t like the Rules, and aren’t playing in any club or state am competitions, how hard is it for you, at your choice and leisure, to ignore the Rules? ZERO problem, suspect.
So all of these football and baseball fans griping about how golf is officiated; just sit your couch and keep watching those games. Golf — and particularly the Rules of Golf — don’t need your input.
FredTheBishop
Jul 11, 2016 at 1:49 pm
You CAN tap down a spike mark made by a playing companion if that spike mark was created AFTER your ball came to rest at its present position. You’re always entitled to the lie and conditions you had when you ball came to rest (except natural conditions like rain, etc.) for your next shot. If someone takes a divot that interferes with your play, you get relief or can repair the damage. If they make a ball mark or a spike mark (or even a heel print) that changed your line to the hole, you can repair them. If they dusted your ball with sand or dirt or mud, you can restore the ball and your lie to its previous condition.
Jim Dandy
Jul 11, 2016 at 2:22 pm
A pet peeve of mine is people getting all upset about someone stepping in their putting line. People are trampling all over the green and around the hole all day, so that last step in your line is probably the least consequential.
Rich
Jul 12, 2016 at 6:50 am
Stepping on someone else’s line has more to do with etiquette than anything else. While in most cases it may not effect the line or result of the putt, it’s just down right rude and it’s not that hard to pay attention to and avoid. It’s like being polite. It doesn’t cost a cent and it’s not hard to do.
BMG
Jul 11, 2016 at 12:49 pm
To me, the ruling itself isn’t the issue at all. She touched the sand, broke the rule (albeit unwittingly) There is no ambiguity, and intent has nothing to do with it. All golfers would accept that it’s a penalty. It might be unfair / outdated, but that’s really a different issue.
There are however two real issues.
The first, which has been mentioned by Bruce and others, is the use of replay. It is a big disadvantage to those players who are on camera (normally the leaders). There could have been plenty of other similar incidents over the 4 days that were not caught on camera (and that even the players were unaware of). Nordqvist was clearly oblivious to it, so she couldn’t have called it on herself.
The second (and main) issue is how the USGA handled it. In a word, terribly.
The fact that Nordqvist hit her approach without being told about the penalty, but Lang was told BEFORE her approach is ridiculously bad IMO. As Azinger said on the broadcast – either tell them both (before they play their approach) or tell neither of them.
Norqvist was safely on the green. Had Lang not known about the penalty, she might have decided to go more aggressively at the pin and brought the water into play. She could easily have dunked it in the water and made double bogey. Had that been the case, they are most probably tied.
Lots of ifs and buts (in all probability, Lang would still have avoided the water and won). But the point is that it’s a playoff in a major, she had a shot over the water with her opponent on the green. The pressure would have been massive, and a lot could have still happened. Once they told her, she has almost no pressure because she knew she could win with a bogey. That is a total game changer.
All they really needed to do was use a bit of common sense. Why did they have to tell her right then? Just because they had to do it “as soon as possible”? Once they realised that they couldn’t get to Anna before she played, they should have waited until Brittany had played too.
Very poor show indeed.
Jim Dandy
Jul 11, 2016 at 12:40 pm
Isn’t the backswing part of the swing?
Dave
Jul 11, 2016 at 1:55 pm
No only the act of striking( or attempting to) the ball is a stroke.
Chris
Jul 11, 2016 at 12:30 pm
Golf, the only sport in the world where spectators can call in penalties. What a joke.
Smokin'Gun
Jul 11, 2016 at 12:27 pm
Television is the new USGA
Smokin'Gun
Jul 11, 2016 at 12:25 pm
When you’re leading or close to the lead, or a top player, television scrutiny follows you like a referee. IMO it’s a bit unfair, because the players that aren’t in the mix get a pass… Perfect examples… DJ and Anna…
Colin M
Jul 11, 2016 at 12:25 pm
I agree with most people on here who feel the rule needs to be reviewed and changed to deal with the TV/Video and intent issues. Of course the USGA will always want to look at a potential infringement and have a simple yes or no answer to whether it is a penalty or not, so I can’t see them agreeing to a rule change that requires a decision on intent or not. But I don’t see any problem with saying that touching a few grains of sand on the back swing is not considered a penalty. However, if we do want the USGA to apply some element of common sense, then I think they should take a good hard look at themselves in terms of this business of informing the player(s) as soon as the penalty has been confirmed. From a fairness perspective I would have liked to see them hold off telling Lang until after she had played her 3rd shot as well. But then that would have gone against the USGA’s No 1 rule…..thou shalt not use common sense.
satch_boogie
Jul 11, 2016 at 1:13 pm
I really like the idea of allowing rules officials to apply some discretion. In basketball the definition of a foul isn’t written in concrete for the officials to apply – they decide on a situational basis what is a foul. I would hope that in golf it doesn’t go that far but allowing rules officials to apply the rules with discretion while protecting the integrity of the game and of the competition seems to make a whole lot of sense.
Rwj
Jul 11, 2016 at 12:22 pm
I don’t understand why they told the playing partner of the incurred penalty strokes. It seems it should have been only told to the player that broke the rule
dr bloor
Jul 11, 2016 at 12:43 pm
No, her competitors clearly should also be apprised of the situation, or they’re playing at an unfair disadvantage as to how to play their shots.
Smokin'Gun
Jul 11, 2016 at 12:21 pm
Ouch!!!
SB
Jul 11, 2016 at 11:54 am
These rulings make golf look like an elitist sport ruled by a bunch of people obsessed with penalizing people for breaking rules that are not visible to the naked eye.
If neither the player, nor her competitor, nor the rules official with the group could physically see the penalty, it should not be called. Could you imagine what would happen if baseball fans could call in missed ball and strike calls that they can see in super slo-mo HD? It would be a disaster. Nordquist didn’t know of the violation (and could not have known with human senses). Same with DJ. There was no advantage gained. The rule should be changed so there is no penalty. Would also speed up the game.
Grizz01
Jul 11, 2016 at 12:55 pm
What is the point of zooming in that close in the first place? For the network to gin up contraversy… that simple.
john
Jul 11, 2016 at 11:47 am
Chip, you indicate “there’s a clear sweep mark where the club goes back”…I believe what you see is the ball trail where it rolled to its rest location in the sand not a sweep mark.
One can only agree with the ruling as it is written however the intent was not there. Killing golf these rules. Something need to be written regarding intent and advantage gained.
B. Parsons
Jul 11, 2016 at 11:45 am
Chip Royce: that “sweep” mark you see is from the ball rolling to where it ended up. Her club did not make that.
Milo
Jul 11, 2016 at 11:44 am
What a bunch of dumb.
Kevin Michaels
Jul 11, 2016 at 11:39 am
Not supposed to drag the club back while in the sand. Penalty
farmer
Jul 11, 2016 at 10:57 am
The salient point here is that if AN had not driven her ball into the bunker, there would have been no chance for a penalty.
desmond
Jul 11, 2016 at 10:32 am
Maybe we need to define “grounding the club” in the rules (maybe it is). One part of the heel touched several grains while starting the backswing. This is not testing the sand. If I were the USGA, I would check out the intent of the rule, instead of using strict liability, as was yesterday’s interpretation.
Gordy
Jul 11, 2016 at 10:28 am
The replay thing just needs to stop. Unless every shot on every hole has replay it seems the rules are skewed a bit against the leaders of the tourney. Essentially, making it harder for them to win giving the advantage to someone who is coming from behind and the camera’s aren’t on them 24/7. So, in my opinion the final scores are not accurate unless everyone has the same scrutiny such as this. So, USGA remember that commercial where you said everyone plays by the rules? The Pro’s and the pions like me? I guess the pro’s don’t even play by the same rules. EPIC fail once again. Although, I do agree with the ruling.
Gordy
Jul 11, 2016 at 10:47 am
For the Record I used to really love the USGA and everything they have stood for. But lately, they have been blowing it with the refusal to do the right thing and just get rid of replay. It just turns me off because they call it a game of integrity but use it to check everything these players do. Golf is a game of imperfection and that’s what makes it beautiful. Yet the use of replay tries to make it perfect. Pretty bummed out because they are killing the game.
Bert
Jul 11, 2016 at 1:01 pm
The USGA does not have a HD replay system set-up to monitor play. However when an infraction of a Rule is reported to them they have no choice to evaluate the facts concerning the infraction by either consultation with the player, or a witness, and even reviewing a video of the infraction. The USGA has no desire to monitor shots by video cameras, but when an infraction is reported they have no choice but to evaluate and apply a penalty of required under the Rules.
DrRob1963
Jul 12, 2016 at 5:29 am
These last two US Open controversies mean that the USGA now need to monitor the videos and TV, if they are going to do their job properly.
Gordy
Jul 12, 2016 at 8:44 am
My point behind the fact they are using replay to monitor these shots is pretty plain and simple. Golf is a game of integrity and the rules are the same for everyone. Unlike other sports literally the rules are the same for everyone, regardless of junior tournament to the Pros. This is a big selling point by the USGA. So, within their own tournament they do not enforce the rules the same, the guys or gals that aren’t being followed shot for shot could theoretically get away with the same situation and nobody would know the difference. Yet, the final group gets scrutinized like this. In my mind, that is essentially creating an unfair playing field. So, if the USGA got smart for once, they would get rid of replay period. I do not disagree with the call, she broke the rule period. DJ, although I disagree with the call by the definition of the USGA he broke the rule. What I have a problem with is how they got their. Golf is a game of factions. It separates good shots from bad shots, penalties from non penalties. If they truly want a fair outcome to a tournament then either HD cameras are on every player for every shot, or they aren’t.
Bert
Jul 12, 2016 at 9:19 pm
I tend to agree! HD cameras for all or not at all. But for now the USGA must use all information available to determine if a reported infraction occurred.
Jack
Jul 11, 2016 at 10:27 am
I hope before there is another awards presentation, the USGA will stage an intervention and get Ms. Murphy the help that she so desperately needs.
Ben A.
Jul 11, 2016 at 10:09 am
You wrote about how she soled her club in the bunker then take the USGA side. Voted shank. Congrats Bethany on the win
Abolish the USGA
Jul 11, 2016 at 9:36 am
Shameful organization. I guess their goal is to shatter hopes and dreams of the worlds greatest golfers. Maybe the new rules should state anyone who shoots over par is dq’d. Anyone who can’t hit the ball perfectly out of the harmonic center of a golf club is deemed unfit to play. That’ll show those pros!
She touched one granule of sand on her takeaway for the swing. That is not testing the sand’s conditions prior to playing. A complete misinterpretation of the rules.
Christen_the_sloop
Jul 11, 2016 at 9:51 am
You are wasting your talent writing here. Brilliant Piece. Bravo.
Rule needs changing
Jul 11, 2016 at 10:53 am
If the USGA are going to be this strict the rule needs changing. By no means was she testing the conditions? If you penalized for this infraction you should give out infractions if you touch a blade of grass. That would be the equivalent.
Bert
Jul 11, 2016 at 1:05 pm
No it’s not, a blade of grass is not the ground or sand within a hazard. Touching a live blade of grass within a hazard isn’t a penalty. Remember we are talking about playing from within a hazard, not through-the-green.
Chris
Jul 11, 2016 at 12:37 pm
And the reasoning behind the rule is a complete joke. Does anyone really believe that you get a better idea of the sand’s condition by grounding the club than you do by walking in the bunker. As soon as I walk into a bunker I am completely aware of its condition.
stephenf
Jul 11, 2016 at 3:08 pm
Then either get the rule changed or play another game. Simple as that.
Chris
Jul 12, 2016 at 8:31 am
Way to jump off the deep end there Stephen. Just because I don’t agree with a rule doesn’t stop me from playing this wonderful game. I will still play happily and will still happily abide by the dumb rule.
JOEL GOODMAN
Jul 11, 2016 at 6:36 pm
CORRECT. THERE WAS NO, ZERO, NONE INTENT.