News
LPGA Tour pros embroiled in backstopping controversy
Update: 2/22, 9:50 p.m. The LPGA released the statement below
Our statement regarding Amy Olson at the Honda LPGA Thailand: pic.twitter.com/T1Lpavk4RS
— LPGA (@LPGA) February 23, 2019
End update
Backstopping has been a controversial subject in the game of golf as of late, and this week during the Honda LPGA Thailand, an example of backstopping occurred that has left many golf fans on social media irate, primarily for what happened directly after the incident.
The incident took place on the final green during the second round of the event and features Amy Olson and Ariya Jutanugarn at the heart of the controversy.
Playing her chip shot from the side of the green, Jutanugarn cosied her ball up by the hole, and while seemingly courteously seeking permission from Olson to tap in her putt before the latter played her greenside shot, she appeared to be waved off. Olson then backed off, played her shot, and her ball, which looked to be running well past the pin, collided with Jutanugarn’s and settled right beside the hole. The two then laughed and celebrated the development with a fist-bump.
Even worse with the full video pic.twitter.com/lpras0mF4L
— Duncan French (@Teamfrench23) February 22, 2019
Neither player received a penalty for the incident, which many golf fans feel violated rule 15.3a/1, which states
In stroke play, under Rule 15.3a, if two or more players agree to leave a ball in place on the putting green to help any player, and the stroke is made with the helping ball left in place, each player who made the agreement gets two penalty strokes. A breach of Rule 15.3a does not depend on whether the players know that such an agreement is not allowed.
For example, in stroke play, before playing from just off the putting green, a player asks another player to leave his or her ball that is near the hole, in order to use it as a backstop. Without knowing this is not allowed, the other player agrees to leave his or her ball by the hole to help the other player. Once the stroke is made with the ball in place, both players get the penalty under Rule 15.3a.
The same outcome would apply if the player whose ball was near the hole offered to leave the ball in play to help the other player, and the other player accepted the offer and then played.
If the players know that they are not allowed to make such an agreement, but still do it, they are both disqualified under Rule 1.3b(1) for deliberately ignoring Rule 15.3a.
Amy Olson currently sits two shots off the lead heading into the third round, while Ariya Jutanugarn is seven shots off the pace.
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Any weather concerns that surfaced earlier have vanished, meaning that the 2024 US Open, the 124th of its kind, will finish on time and without distraction nor interruption. Golfers that posted plus-six or higher have missed the cut, reducing the field of competitors to 74. The likes of Viktor Hovland, Max Homa, Will Zalatoris and, yes, Tiger Woods, will not figure any longer, in the outcome of this year’s playing. The leader stands currently at minus-five, and has 19 other golfers at even-par or better, heading into the weekend.
Neither of the day-one leaders succeeded in shooting below par on day two, so the lead did not stretch over the second 18 holes. Will something similar happen on Saturday? Will a golfer rise from the chasers, to seize the 54-hole lead? It’s quite early to say, but certainly the Open will not be won on Saturday. It will be lost by more than a handful, so grab your snacks and buckle up for a Carolina shoot-out on day three. As for five things that we learned on day two, we have them!
Incredible effort from that spot.
Catch @Maxhoma and the rest of the Featured Groups on our Live Stream presented by @AmericanExpress.
Watch: https://t.co/JJ7Guy3ZHI pic.twitter.com/wxJER7WV4E
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 14, 2024
1. Ludvig the Oh-Bear leads the Open
Ludvig Aberg posted one of the 24 rounds under 70 on Friday. Those scores ranged down to the 66 posted by Hideki Matsuyama. Aberg made half as many birdies (three) as he did on Thursday, but he also made just two bogeys, the same number as day one. It’s safe to say that Aberg will take two bogeys per round over the next two days, as long as no big numbers creep onto his scorecard. 2024 may be his first US Open, but history is filled with first-time winners. It has been a while for this national championship, so why not this year?
Solid Quote: … I played the U.S. Amateur here a couple years ago. I think just with the way those greens are, when it gets really firm, and just because you don’t really have any bail-out areas, you’ve just got to take on the golf shots and see where it ends up, and if you don’t pull it off, you’re going to have a really tricky short game shot. I think it’s a challenging golf course, but once again, that’s the way it was supposed to be.
Early fireworks from Ludvig Åberg! ?
The young Swede is tied for the lead. pic.twitter.com/UsYNDOi58H
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 14, 2024
2. Three x Four equals ???
Bryson DeChabeau, Thomas Detry, and Patrick Cantlay all concluded play on Friday evning at 136 total strokes. Cantlay and Detry will tee on in the penultimate pairing, while DeChambeau will match wills with the second-round leader in the day’s final game.
Detry reached six-under par through 14 holes, before two late bogeys brought him back to the field. The Belgian had nine one-putt greens on day two at Pinehurst. His T4 finish at this year’s PGA Championship gave him a bit of experience on how to manage his game through the waning moments of a major. Can he repeat the achievement in Pinehurst?
Cantlay was not the same golfer that signed for 65 on Thursday. He posted but three birdies on Friday, and stumbled with double at eight, and a pair of bogeys on the inward side. As for DeChambeau, he was able to achieve the all important ratio of more-birdies-than-bogeys for a second consecutive day. Which of the three will persevere, and feature on Sunday?
Solid Quote: I (Detry) always tend to do better at courses where pars gains on the field. I feel like this week, you make a par, you gain on the field, keep moving on. I always seem to do better that way. It puts a little bit less pressure on my putting. When I have a birdie chance, it’s like a bonus. I’ve done a great job of taking advantage of it today, I think.
Ludivg went first, and Patrick answered!
Two leaders tied at -6. pic.twitter.com/0IDhQ2nJWw
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 14, 2024
3. Trio at three-deep has eyes on a day-three move
Rory McIlroy, Tony Finau, and Matthieu Pavon finished play on day two at 137 strokes. Neither Rory nor Pavon was able to produce a second consecutive round under par, but they did what was necessary, during a round when they had much less than their best. As for Finau, his move to a new putting grip paid off, and he posted 69 to move inside the top five. Much like the three-pack mentioned in point number two, we have an outsider, a potential winner, and a favorite in this group. Among these three, the standout will certainly be …
Solid Quote: It’s just work. As I (Pavon) say, work, discipline, learning from the past mistakes you’ve done. The most dangerous guy is the one that learns from mistakes. That’s my opinion. I failed a lot. Helped me to understand a couple things in my game, in my swing. I finally got my first win in Europe. Bring me a lot of confidence because it was showing to me and myself that we were on the right road on everything we were, like, doing in terms of training and stuff like that.
Tony, Tony, Tony!@tonyfinaugolf joins the pack at -4. pic.twitter.com/ujl2OCh1QZ
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 14, 2024
4. Hideki rebounds with perfect card
There was a point on Thursday, during a tournament feed, when one of the commentaors contrasted Hideki’s win at Augusta in 2021 with his struggles on Pinehurst’s greens. Between that time and Friday evening, Hideki figured out those putting surfaces, to the tune of four birdies and zero bogeys. What’s frightening is, Matsuyama (see below) still feels that there is room for improvement. Imagine if he straightens out the other facets of his game!
Solid Quote: I feel like my short game is really good. Feel like there’s plenty of adjustment to my iron game. Hopefully I can adjust that through the week.
Have a day, Hideki! ??
Matsuyama with the 8th bogey-free round in U.S. Open history at Pinehurst No. 2. pic.twitter.com/XRIaLrAJe4
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 14, 2024
5. Prediction time!
I’m happy to provide a few predictions, to get you through the morning hours on Saturday. My prescience is unrivaled by any, and my predictive abilities have no equal. I may not be Francesco Molinari, who brought drama to a new level with a 36th-hole ace to make the cut, but I do know a thing or two about major championships. Without delay, here are a few predictions about Saturday at Pinehurst:
Leader after three rounds: Bryson DeChambeau
Falls away, predictably: Matthieu Pavon
Falla away, unexpectadly: Patrick Cantlay
Struggles, but sticks around: Ludvig Alberg and Rory McIlroy
Jumps into the mix, thanks to a 65: Billy Horschel
Solid Quote: (in case you forgot how difficult this is, courtesy of the defending champion, Wyndham Clark) If you miss a green, even though you give yourself all the green in the world, it should be somewhat of an easy up-and-down, but you’re into the grain on your chip and then you have to go uphill and then downgrain. It was just difficult. It’s really easy to make bogeys out here.
Final hole. Par 3. Two strokes above the projected cut.
Then this happened for @F_Molinari! ? ? pic.twitter.com/3R3amEx6E0
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 14, 2024
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I’ve posted on social media that I’m not convinced that the viewing public is ready for three U.S. Open tournaments at Pinehurst #2, over a twelve-year span. I like the course and I love the sandhills, but the deuce is not a visually-stunning course. The topography, with the exception of holes four and five, is flattish. Flattish not in an Old Course way. Flattish in a where’s-the-movement way. I have erred in judgment, and it is possible that the television audiences will take to Donald Ross’ masterpiece in a manner that I did not anticipate.
This much I do know: many players took to the course with great affection on Thursday, aka Day One. Scores got as low as 65, and twenty golfers finished day one under par. This was not an easy day for scoring, either. With the exception of holes nine and ten, no other hole location could be labeled center of green. Competitors were forced to play to safe sides of putting surfaces, and encourage the putter to make a statement. Certainly, the USGA could make the targets even more precise, but chances are, they won’t.
What to expect? Hard to say, but five things that we do know, are elaborated below. Welcome to mid-June, and another US Open championship at Pinehurst. Welcome to five things we learned on day one of the 2024 US Open.
1. Is Patty Ice chillin’ again?
It’s hard to fathom that Patrick Cantlay has not won since August of 2022. In 2023, his performance for Team USA’s Ryder Cup side was decent, but not glowing nor glorious. With the rise of new talents, Captain America 2.0 has been relegated to an afterthought. It used to be When will he win a major and now it’s Will he win again. This week at Pinehurst, Cantlay might answer both questions with vigorous affirmation.
Cantlay was nearly flawless across the gem of Moore county. His 7:40 tee time was a boon, as the course was soft, windless, and untrampled. His only bogey came at the 15th hole, where his tee ball found sand and he was unable to get up and down for the sandy. His six birdies came at the first and last holes of the day, along with the fifth, sixth, eighth, and eleventh holes.
Solid Quote: “I got the ball up and down on 7, made a bunch of putts inside, eight feet. I think around this golf course, you’re going to leave yourself putts inside eight feet. That four- to eight-foot range. It important that you hole out. I did that well today.”
In the greenside bunker? Not a problem for @patrick_cantlay.
He joins a large group at -1. pic.twitter.com/o3gQycfZ0C
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 13, 2024
2. The Oh-Bear stakes his claim
After we all mispronounced his name for the first six months of his professional career, we go to know the Oh-Bear when he won on tour and then earned statement victories at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy. On Thursday at number two, Ludvig Aberg signed for a 66 and reminded us all that he is a strengthening force in the world of golf. Aberg won last September on the DP World Tour, then again in November on the PGA Tour. In April, the Swedish lad posted a brilliant, runner-up finish at Augusta National, in the year’s first major championship.
Thursday saw a sextet of birdies wander onto Ludvig’s symphony. Like Cantlay, he made birdie at the first and the last. Holes five, nine, eleven, and twelve also surrendered stroke-savers. His hiccoughs came on the par-three sixth and the par-four fourteenth, where he made bogey. Aberg never appears to lose control nor confidence, and that system will serve him well over the next three days. Like Cantlay, Aberg will tee off in the afternoon wave on Friday. Both will see different course conditions, and their ability to adapt will serve them quite well.
Solid Quote: “Yeah, I think staying very disciplined is important. There’s a lot of pins where you don’t really think about going for. So me and Joe, my caddie, we have a lot of good conversations about certain areas that you try to hit it on.”
Knocked it stiff.
Ludvig Åberg ?? matches Koepka and Pavon at -3. pic.twitter.com/z4wtzdXhxF
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 13, 2024
3. Peacock rides two eagles to three-under 67
Matthieu Pavon’s last name might translate as peacock from French, but eagles were his bird of choice on day one at Pinehurst. The first-time winner on the PGA Tour made but one birdie on the day, on the par-four eighth hole. He had twice as many bogeys, but that’s not his story. His day was made on the 5th and 10th holes, the two long holes at Pinehurst number two.
In his words, Pavon made his four best swings on the par five holes. He converted both eagle putts to save four more strokes, and ended his day at three-under par. Pavon transitioned from the courses of Europe to the layouts of the USA this season, and his learning curve has softened with each week. Pinehurst will provide as much challenge as any peacock needs, but this bird is already playing with house money.
Solid Quote: “It’s more about seeing breaks because when it’s slower, when you have less break, the ball doesn’t move as much as here. Here it’s really — it’s steep, it’s fast, it’s grainy, so the ball moves quite a lot. You have a lot of curves on the green.”
Matthieu Pavon takes a two shot lead with his SECOND eagle of the day ? pic.twitter.com/SPIOpKXpJ8
— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) June 13, 2024
4. Rory roars to top
Can you say Clean card? Rory McIlroy went 18 holes at Pinehurst #2 without a bogey. He drove the ball supremely well, and putted with surgical precision. We all know the good news that came out of his personal world this week, so we can put Rory the person on the back burner, and focus entirely on Rory the golfer.
McIlroy was in the featured, afternoon triumvirate, with the two most recent major champions. Do you think he had something to prove? Aye. While the Masters champion managed a 71, and the PGA champion posted 70, Rory was the class of the 1:14 tee time. His birdies at four and five gave him early confidence, and his work on the inward half boosted him into his tie at the top. A birdie at ten restarted the momentum, and the Northern Irishman closed with two more birdies over the final three holes.
Solid Quote: “You’ve got to get lucky. I had a lot of really good numbers today where I could just go ahead and hit full shots. Whenever you’re hitting full shots into these greens, the ball is going to stop a little quicker than if you have to take something off or hit little three-quarter shots.”
Absolutely knew it was good. pic.twitter.com/zRvzBiiYNW
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 13, 2024
5. Bryson stays the course and stays top five
The 2020 US Open champion, despite a well-publicized defection to a rival league, has been the most successful, non-PGA Tour golfer of late in majors. DeChambeau has done everything but win, finding top-seven finishes in each of this season’s grand slam events.
DeChambeau began his day on the second nine, where five of the top seven golfers opened their round. Birdies at 13 and 18 brought him through the turn at minus-two. Two more stroke-savers at three and five elevated him to within a shot of the lead. Even though he stumbled with bogey five at the seventh, DeChambeau finished the day at minus-three. Bryson will tee off at 7:40 on Friday, and much like Rory, will have a chance to post a number early and position himself for a weekend charge.
Solid Quote: “That putt on 6 today was crucial from 80 feet. I could have easily putted off the green as well as No. 9. Really making sure my speed control is good, starting lines are good. I did accomplish for the most part what I was trying to do today besides 7.”
Step 1: Reach the green in 2, even after a wayward drive.
Step 2: Lag putt
Step 3: Tap-in birdie, one stroke off the lead. pic.twitter.com/F3PvRpxdfJ
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 13, 2024
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Tom
Mar 5, 2019 at 7:15 pm
Perhaps the LPGA would draw more viewers if the attractive players just wore G-strings and pasties with high heels? (Picture Carl (Bill Murray) at the ball washer in Caddyshack!
CJ
Mar 4, 2019 at 7:35 pm
The fist bump was the thing that made me more mad than anything. I don’t like what she did but the tours need to figure out their rules and consequences asap
geohogan
Mar 29, 2019 at 10:04 am
If Potus can get away with collusion with our worst enemy, why get excited over to professional golfers colluding to cheat the rest of the field.
JP
Feb 28, 2019 at 12:45 am
Let them use backstops all they want. But make both players play their ball where it lies after they come to rest.
.
I guarantee players close to the pin will ALWAYS mark their ball.
Caroline
Feb 28, 2019 at 6:07 pm
Just another reason to slow down play…plan BS just replace the ball at rest where it was and the new ball plays where it ended up…simple…backstop, players are so good they can hit balls on the green and not the hole..hole is 4 times larger…
Sandra
Feb 28, 2019 at 7:58 pm
You just don’t get it. It’s not that they’re so good they can hit another golf ball. It’s when they miss the hole, they have a chance of hitting the other ball rather than running by too far. Have you considered the rule was written for a reason?
KJ
Feb 26, 2019 at 3:49 pm
They both should have been DQ’d per the rules of golf. Im not buying the Im just a pretty dumbgirl routine. She is at the elite level of golf, so she knows the rules or should know the rules. I knew it and Im a 10 handicap hacker. They agreed period!
In stroke play, under Rule 15.3a, if two or more players agree to leave a ball in place on the putting green to help any player, and the stroke is made with the helping ball left in place, each player who made the agreement gets two penalty strokes. A breach of Rule 15.3a does not depend on whether the players know that such an agreement is not allowed.
Once again they KNOW the rules at this level. If the players know that they are not allowed to make such an agreement, but still do it, they are both disqualified under Rule 1.3b(1) for deliberately ignoring Rule 15.3a Bang see you later!!
All stated this does NOT make them cheaters……….it makes them people who should have been issued a penalty for a rules infraction.
Anyway it looks like the Everyone gets a trophy crowd has made it to the LPGA.
mario
Feb 26, 2019 at 9:47 am
Good thing those referees are not taking a decision on the Irish backstop… That would last another two years
Rufus T. Firefly
Feb 26, 2019 at 9:14 am
This is why some people avoid this game. Too many judgmental assholes looking for an issue.
GrandpaDino
Feb 25, 2019 at 5:12 pm
Another solution in search of a problem. Play on, girls!
Charlie
Feb 24, 2019 at 11:00 am
Let’s acknowledge the grey area involved here! The rule states when chipping up from just off the green….being said, what is the difference between 30 yards off the green, or 160 yards from the green? If you acknowledge the terminology of just off the green, that would be closer to being on the fringe versus 20 to 30 yards away. Are players going to go mark a ball from 150 out? No! So let the players use the rules to their advantage for a change!
Ace
Feb 24, 2019 at 9:01 am
They did it but the question is how are you going to prove it? Answer…Your not
That being siad its a dumb rule that will never really be enforced so best thing to di is remove the dumb rule and accept the fact sometimes players will get these “breaks” rather intentional or not.
Gunni
Feb 23, 2019 at 8:09 am
Don’t worry, Karma will prevail.
Ozarkgolfer
Feb 23, 2019 at 7:54 am
Penalties to both – obvious backstopping. No one is asking for balls to be marked when players are over 100 yards out – it makes sense when there is chipping and pitching green side.
Hppyglmr
Feb 23, 2019 at 4:50 am
Happy Gilmore says phhhuq your rules, snobby dooshwads.
Ni
Feb 23, 2019 at 3:01 am
Why is this even an issue? Clearly she hit Ariya’s ball by luck. Especially from where she was.
doug miller
Feb 23, 2019 at 6:55 am
I agree 100%. If she is good enough to do it on purpose just hit the pin every time, pure luck!!!
Nachos
Feb 23, 2019 at 12:29 pm
Agreed
dat
Feb 22, 2019 at 8:10 pm
I originally though this was about players using the grandstands as backstops….then I read the article.
Stupid. This rule isn’t being broken, it is pure chance. Get out.
geohogan
Feb 22, 2019 at 11:14 pm
The way the rule is written, it isnt necessary that the opponents ball ended up being a backstop or not.
Simply playing the shot, while the opponents ball was in position to be a backstop is sufficient to incur the penalty for each player in stroke play.
ignorance of the rule, is no excuse from being penalized or disqualification.
youraway
Feb 22, 2019 at 5:32 pm
The Rules are written, agreed upon and published by the R&A and the USGA. This is an obvious and flagrant violation of the Rule. It’s not only clear, but it is recorded. BUT, this is an LPGA event and I have no doubt, they will not enforce the Rules, which calls for the DQ of both players.
benseattle
Feb 22, 2019 at 3:44 pm
Backstopping is an affront to the game and about as close to cheating as you can get because it involves not ONE but TWO players. The rule can be as simple as “balls near the cup must be marked before another player makes a stroke IF BOTH PLAYERS ARE NEAR THE GREEN.”
In this case, Jutanugarn should have ignored Olson’s “wave off,” (even if done to speed up play) and marked her ball. Of course it’s absurd to infer that Olson TRIED to hit the resting ball but the fact remains that because the ball was left nearby INTENTIONALLY leaves open the (slim) chance that Ariya’s ball could serve as a backstop. This is a bad, bad look for ANY tournament golf so let’s just eliminate the controversy and instruct golfers to mark a ball near the cup “when in the vicinity of the green.” You’re in doubt about what that means? THEN GET UP THERE AND MARK IT.
Why is backstopping wrong? Because it can give a player an advantage NOT AVAILABLE TO THE REST OF THE FIELD. And it’s preventable.
Piter
Feb 24, 2019 at 2:57 pm
It’s luck of the draw really. 5mm to the right and she would’ve been worse off. This time she was lucky so she smiled and so did Ariya coz id doesn’t affect her anyway. It’s not like me there are 6 balls you might “accidentally” bump into.
Tom
Feb 22, 2019 at 3:27 pm
Notice the size of crowd in the video? NOBODY there…..nobody cares…..
Pete
Feb 22, 2019 at 2:42 pm
Lets be honest, neither player ‘agreed to leave the ball there with the intention of helping the other player’ even if they did so non verbally. So while its a scummy move and definitely cheating, they found a way to not be in contravention of the rule. The fist bump was all about sharing a fun moment of hitting anothers ball which is rare as opposed to the, ‘hell ya, cheating is awesome’ accusation
STS
Feb 22, 2019 at 10:56 pm
Totally agree
Lance
Feb 22, 2019 at 2:20 pm
The fist bump was simply inferring that it was a good break. Neither one of these players should be labeled as cheating here. The rules are very intricate as we all know and my bet is that neither one of the players were aware of the optics here. I understand players are responsible to know the rules but let’s cut them some slack here. I can guarantee that Ariya is the consummate professional and would never not do her part to protect the field. #letsfocusonsomethingvalid #peoplearetoughbehindakeyboard #beeducatedbeforecastingpoorjudgement
Tiger Noods
Feb 22, 2019 at 1:58 pm
This rule requires clarification. It implies that this is during a sequence when players are putting.
How many times have we all said, “Don’t bother; it’s not like I’ll hit it.” 99.9% of the time you’re right. In a pro’s case, maybe that’s 98%. Either way, I can’t see how this was a conspiracy. This is not a penalty, and the norms of the game do not require you to mark when another player is not close enough to use a putter.
Molehill, not mountain.
youraway
Feb 22, 2019 at 5:46 pm
That’s not what it implies at all. A player should not leave their ball in position to assist. I assure you leaving a ball on the green while another is putting would not assist but the player would incur a penalty if their ball struck another ball left on the putting surface.
Tiger Noods
Mar 4, 2019 at 5:58 pm
You can’t even spell your own nickname correctly. Go worry about knee-height drops, troll.
Dennis Wimd
Feb 22, 2019 at 1:43 pm
Not a penalty. What if they’d been 200 yards off? Where is the line?
Remember if a ball strikes a ball on the green the striking ball remains where it lands and the struck ball is replaced.
Mike Cleland
Feb 22, 2019 at 1:59 pm
I agree with you. Where’s the line? Get the blue blazers involved & we’ll be marking balls before we hit our second shots on Par 5s. The way to speed up play is to “simplify” the rules. I suppose the USGA believes if they aren’t constantly getting involved in every little issue they couldn’t justify their $800,000/year salaries.
joey5picks`
Feb 22, 2019 at 3:53 pm
The line is common sense and not unduly delaying play. Bottom line, they broke rule 15.3a. Both should get a 2-stroke penalty.
Bill
Feb 22, 2019 at 1:43 pm
Ridiculous behaviour. Olsen’s ball would’ve been about 8ft past. Bet Ariya wouldn’t leave her ball there if both had to play from where their respective balls finished.
Mike Cleland
Feb 22, 2019 at 1:36 pm
What’s up. Do we need a rules issue at every event? The USGA & their blue blazers haven’t learned the old adage ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’…is there a lawyer on every hole? The USGA isn’t happy unless they are on the front page every week.
joey5picks
Feb 22, 2019 at 3:56 pm
The USGA doesn’t govern Australia. The R&A does. USGA only governs US and Mexico.
Aztec
Feb 22, 2019 at 9:49 pm
Wrong, it’s Golf Australia. They may choose to adopt R&A policy, but they are the governing body. Why would you think the R&A has an official voice in Australian golf?
Christopher
Feb 23, 2019 at 11:49 am
Like joey5picks posted, the R&A are the governing body for over 110 countries, Golf Australia literally confirms it (and the USGA’s) on their site. They can implement their own local rules, but they’re governed by the R&A.
geohogan
Feb 22, 2019 at 11:23 pm
if professional then know the rules or get out of the game.
We wouldnt have issues or delays if players knew the rules,
rather than trying to circumvent the rules.
if players delay for rulings which should be known to them,
the pga should begin suspending those players.
it will speed up play and maybe the players would take time
to learn the rules of the game they play for a living.
BD
Feb 22, 2019 at 1:31 pm
Individuals cheating is bad enough. But much worse, and more damaging to the Int Egypt the game, is the collusion of the LPGA (and, in other examples, the PGAtour) in such cheating by failing to penalise such behaviour.
kirk brady
Feb 22, 2019 at 1:29 pm
Back stop – maybe
an object for lining up trying to make the chip – most likely – and no penalty there
When is the press going to stop creating controversies to get readers – between this and organizing the extortion of Kuchar, I think the sporting press deserves an enema and 10 mile run with full pack.
TCJ
Feb 22, 2019 at 10:13 pm
Nothing but clickbait these days.
Dave
Feb 22, 2019 at 1:10 pm
Oh, it’s just the LPGA? Who cares, almost as irrelevant as the WNBA. Wish they would cut TV coverage of it entirely.
Steve
Feb 22, 2019 at 2:42 pm
Wow…a trumpster….
Rick
Feb 22, 2019 at 10:33 pm
you’re an idiot
DougE
Feb 22, 2019 at 4:59 pm
I care. I enjoy watching the LPGA and personally, I think those girls offer a great product. You wish you were 1/2 as good. But, I’m guessing you are not and probably never will be with such a poor attitude. Sorry, but misogyny is not attractive, nor does it make you better than women.
What is your problem? LPGA golf is much closer to the kind of golf most of us can relate to. Evidently, you think it is beneath you. You will likely never have the game of a PGA Touring pro, so why not learn something from watching the girls. With some practice, you may even be able to make some of the shots they can make. I learn so much watching them. You might too if you gave them a chance. But hey, I’m just an old 5-6 handicapper, so what do I know?
One thing I do know is that I’d bet on Ariya, or Lexi, every day of the week over betting on anyone who thinks the girls are irrelevant.
Dave
Feb 23, 2019 at 2:59 am
You are of the minority demographic that enjoys LPGA and Champions Tour coverage, Doug. That’s not subjective, that’s fact. I know your feelings are hurt, but very few even care about LPGA and Champions.
Sorry I’m not attractive to you, buddy.
Mohamed
Feb 22, 2019 at 12:52 pm
The bigger question is – how do you prove intent. Also, both were playing off the green, so if they were 100yards away and this happened – what then?
Jim
Feb 22, 2019 at 1:04 pm
You’re right. The key word here is “intent”. If Amy intentionally asked for this, intentionally planning to try to hit the ball, then the penalty applies. If she was just ready to play and not wanting to wait and was not even expecting to hit the other’s ball, there is no intent.
Due to the way the pair reacted, it was a celebration of luck!
Jim
Feb 22, 2019 at 12:45 pm
They need to be penalized. Both were complicit once Ariya stutter stepped to NOT mark her ball and then the fist bump confirms the agreement.
Doug
Feb 22, 2019 at 12:41 pm
Tom is a tool. This is definitely cheating. Olson waived Ariya off for the very reason of backstopping. Ariya should be protecting the field. A fail for both sides. Disappointing that both tours are failing to uphold the integrity of the same.
Timothy Covey
Feb 22, 2019 at 12:38 pm
Stupid. What are the odds even if the plan was to hit the other ball that she would actually hit the other ball. If shes that good she should just chip it in the hole on every hole every time. Might as well cause you’d have to be that good. The fact that people are even upset let alone irate is just pure ignorance.
Mon
Feb 22, 2019 at 12:30 pm
It really did not look like she was doing it do use the ball. I think she was ready to hit and waved off the other player who was still standing off the green.
joey5picks
Feb 22, 2019 at 3:59 pm
The “other player” has the right, and responsibility, to mark her ball to protect the field. This was a perfect example of Olson gaining an advantage on the field.
kevin
Feb 22, 2019 at 11:28 am
apparently as the lpga and pga continue to alter the rulebook, they forget to actually enforce the rules.
this is an embarrassment to the LPGA, and the other players should be calling this for what it is…cheating.
Tom
Feb 22, 2019 at 11:15 am
Not a big deal, few watch LPGA…
snapjack
Feb 22, 2019 at 12:30 pm
Only Tom could come up with that kind of answer. The normal retort is, why are you here then, but in this case I say to you Tom, GFY
Tom
Feb 22, 2019 at 1:48 pm
Ohhhhhhh….snappy typing all tuff n sheet…..lol!
Dave
Feb 22, 2019 at 1:13 pm
Completely agree with you. I’m always annoyed when I turn to the Golf Channel at night to catch up on the PGA Tour highlights/coverage from earlier in the day, and we are forced to watch someone named Pornanong hit driver 235 in a tournament in Thailand.
Elmo
Feb 23, 2019 at 10:22 am
Racist too!
Bring in religion and you’ve got the triple threat!
Yeehaw KKK golf.