Simon Dyson DQed at BMW Masters

[sofingaw]

Just watched the video, and read the thread. Based on this, and my worthless opinion,  it looked like cheatin' to me!

Funnily enough, I hadn't known this rule until reading this thread.. I'm going to give the rule book a good once over prior to my next round. I have looked through it before, but not in a while, and I obviously missed some apparently common knowledge stuff. I pride myself on playing by the rules as I know them, but if there are too many more like this that I don't know, I need to bone up!

Of course we will never know the full deal, unless he confesses that it was on purpose, and he hoped not to get caught. I usually like to give people the benefit of the doubt....

BUT: To my eye, that looked clearly intentional, and it seemed like he knew it was wrong, and was looking to see if it was noticed after he did it.

I can even buy the brain freeze-brain fart idea, except that would mean that this was common 'autopilot' behavior for him in casual rounds, etc.. Probably not good form, even with your mates, if you're a pro and know the rule.

[VOX]

30,000 pound fine. 18 months on probation plus the original DQ. Pretty costly.

[Fourputt]

The European Tour's statement:

Decision of the European Tour Disciplinary Panel in the matter of Simon Dyson

1. This is a summary of the decision reached by the Disciplinary Panel following a hearing at the offices of the European Tour on 5th December 2013.

2. Simon Dyson was charged by the European Tour with a Serious Breach of the European Tour’s Code of Behaviour, the facts alleged being that he intentionally tapped down a spike mark on the line of his putt on the 8th green at Lake Malaren Golf Club during the second round of the BMW Masters on 25th October 2013, and that in doing so he deliberately interfered with the line of his putt, contrary to Rule 16-1a of the Rules of Golf.

3. The Panel held that charge to have been made out by the Tour. In particular, it found that:

(a) Mr Dyson’s action in touching the line of his putt was a deliberate one;

(b) that act was committed by him in the knowledge of the Rule forbidding such an act; and

(c) his purpose in so acting was to improve his position on the green by pressing down a spike mark.

4. As to sanction, the Panel bore two matters particularly in mind:

(a) the extreme seriousness of the offence committed. The Code of Behaviour starts with these very important words:

“On becoming a Member each person voluntarily submits himself to standards of behaviour and ethical conduct beyond those required of ordinary golfers and members of the public. The European Tour has been the hallmark of honesty, fair dealings, courtesy, and sportsmanship and each Member is bound to honour and uphold that tradition at all times whether on or off the golf course.”

It is essential for the integrity of the professional game that all its participants adhere rigidly to this aspect of the code. Conduct such as that committed by Mr Dyson is a very serious matter, which in the appropriate case would warrant an immediate suspension from the Tour;

(b) the particular circumstances of the present offence. Specifically:

(i) there is no history of misconduct on the part of Mr Dyson during his 14 years on the Tour;

(ii) the fact, as the Panel found, that Mr Dyson’s conduct on the occasion in question involved a momentary aberration on his part, not a premeditated act of cheating; and

(iii) the fact that his conduct and the Panel’s decision will have caused and will continue to cause detriment to Mr Dyson.

5. Accordingly, the Panel decided as follows:

(a) to impose upon Mr Dyson a period of suspension from the Tour of two months, but to suspend its operation for a period of 18 months. The effect of this is that, if during that 18 month period, Mr Dyson commits any breach of the Rules of Golf, his case will be referred back to the Panel to determine whether in the circumstances the suspension should immediately become effective. If, however, at the end of that period, he has committed no such breach, then the threat of a suspension will fall away;

(b) to fine Mr Dyson the sum of £30,000;

(c) to order Mr Dyson to pay the sum of £7,500 towards the Tour’s costs of these proceedings;

(d) Mr Dyson is to make such payments within 56 days.

The Disciplinary Panel will in due course give detailed written reasons to the Tour and to Mr Dyson. These detailed reasons will remain confidential to the parties.

No further statement by the Panel or any of its members will be made.

Ian Mill QC

Chairman

5th December 2013

[iacas]

"Any breach" is more vague than I'd prefer.

Hitting a ball out of bounds is technically a "violation" of the Rules - the word "penalty" is used to describe what a player is to do afterwards. Surely they don't mean that, but the vagueness of the statement leaves room for that to literally cause the immediate suspension.

I'd have preferred something more specific as to what a "breach" means.

[David in FL]

"Any breach" is more vague than I'd prefer. Hitting a ball out of bounds is technically a "violation" of the Rules - the word "penalty" is used to describe what a player is to do afterwards. Surely they don't mean that, but the vagueness of the statement leaves room for that to literally cause the immediate suspension. I'd have preferred something more specific as to what a "breach" means.

I was thinking the same thing. An inadvertent grounding of the club, or touching a loose impediment, in a hazard is a "breach"..... I've gotta admit, I was surprised by the tone, as much as the verbiage of the sanction.

[PhilsRHman]

I guess the euros don't have the PGA's mum's the word policy. Would be interesting to see what would come out if a season's worth of incidents on Tour. They consider it bad PR but just think of all the coverage of Mike Tomlin this week. People love talking about the crimes and punishment as they relate to the sport.