PGA Fiasco

[TheGeekGolfer]

When DJ had the spectators move so the all of the sun was blocked out, did he already make a rules infraction? Rule 14-2...

14-2. Assistance

In making a stroke, a player must not:

a. Accept physical assistance or protection from the elements; or
b. Allow his caddie, his partner or his partner's caddie to position himself on or close to an extension of the line of play or the line of putt behind the ball

.

and the ruling in question...

While a player may not place an object or position a person for the purpose of blocking the sunlight from his ball, he may ask a person (e.g., a spectator) who is already in
position not to move, so that a shadow remains over the ball, or to move, so that his
shadow is not over the ball. (New)

What DJ did from the replay apparently is to ask the crowd to move so that ALL OF THE SUN was blocked. Personally, I don't think he should've been penalized for this or at all, because I'm not sure he was actually 'in a bunker', given the photo and not knowing where the edge of the bunker is, for sure.

I know it's a HUGE CROWD and all and he was (most likely) just asking them to 'stand still' and the sun may have been blocked just as a by-product of that. Just didn't know if anyone had thought about this rule?

Of course...the PGA got it wrong first, when they allowed the spectators to stand in the bunker he was in while he was playing his shot.

[BruceMGF]

When DJ had the spectators move so the all of the sun was blocked out, did he already make a rules infraction? Rule 14-2...

By the time we're done with this, Dustin's going to miss the cut.

[Paradox]

to the point of "where are people supposed to stand?" If Whistling Straits doesn't have the grounds to handle as many people that were there..then the number of tickets should have been a number they actually could handle. Simple as that..tough luck, otherwise. Don't hold a tournament at a place where you can't get as many people if your goal is to have as many spectators as possible. Isn't a major supposed to be about the golf and not the show?

I think it should be a huge red flag to the PGA that some courses just aren't meant for crowds and while they are remarkable and difficult, it isn't always the best idea.

I also like that video that Iacas linked. If you look at the still shot before you hit play..whats that big gaping hole in the crowd right behind where DJ's ball was? Why are they not standing in that particular spot?

[albatross]

People celebrate differently, some are exuberant like Tiger, others are more quiet like Kaymer. He is a very good player, so he definitely deserves being a major winner. He's a shy and quiet guy, always has been, so it's no surprise he didn't jump into the water hazard on 18 (or should that one be called waste bunker too?).

You're wrong. He's right. It's not like other tournaments. Name me another recent tournament where the crowd was standing along side a player in a sand trap. Very different.

[Bluenoser67]

Where's Waldo.

[Zeph]

You're wrong. He's right. It's not like other tournaments. Name me another recent tournament where the crowd was standing along side a player in a sand trap. Very different.

Can you name another recent tournament where the course had 1200 bunkers?

How am I wrong? DJ was the only one breaking the rules. The players knew the crowd was standing in the bunkers all week long. They standing there didn't affect his lie, so I don't see the problem.

[albatross]

Can you name another recent tournament where the course had 1200 bunkers?

I agree DJ was breaking the rules. I think it's silly to have spectators standing in bunkers. That's all I've been trying to say. I understand that the crowd gets close to the players but not typically sitting on the lips of the bunkers. That's all I'm saying.

[plugged]

If I were a spectator yesterday and kicked the ground in sandy soil, would I have made a new bunker?

[Paradox]

Can you name another recent tournament where the course had 1200 bunkers?

The rule is not the issue..its more about the absurdity of allowing spectators free reign on a golf course that has so many "weird" areas and more so about a golf course that has so many "weird" areas being a place for a major championship.

[Zeph]

"Weird" areas? What about Turnberry, where your ball is in tall grass if you miss it too far off the fairway. Should they not play there because it is unfair to be penalised by a wide shot? It's the same for everyone, and they know about it.

[Paradox]

"Weird" areas? What about Turnberry, where your ball is in tall grass if you miss it too far off the fairway. Should they not play there because it is unfair to be penalised by a wide shot? It's the same for everyone, and they know about it.

since when is tall grass considered wierd? You seem like you're arguing just to say you're right..so I'll grant you that wish early and just say "you're right".

[erniebanks]

The only things missing at Wispering straits is a windmill and a clowns head on the 18th green

[DavidFehertysBike]

The only things missing at Wispering straits is a windmill and a clowns head on the 18th green

Agreed. That course just seemed contrived and phony to me, even on television.

[GaijinGolfer]

The only fiasco here is that people dont understand that DJ was indifferent to the rules. It was clearly posted that any bunker (even one outside of the ropes) would be treated as a hazard.
How can you not realize that a hole with sand in it is a bunker? It sucks for DJ, but he can only blame himself for this. Its not as if the local rules werent clearly posted.

[DavidFehertysBike]

The only fiasco here is that people dont understand that DJ was indifferent to the rules. It was clearly posted that any bunker (even one outside of the ropes) would be treated as a hazard.

Because it didn't look like a hole with sand it it from his perspective. It just looked like trampled down spectator area. Or the shallowest bunker in the history of golf... This was even evident on TV. DJ had no reason to believe he was in a hazard, and didn't behave like he was in one. Only when the gallery was removed did photos reveal a bunker.

[albatross]

Because it didn't look like a hole with sand it it from his perspective. It just looked like trampled down spectator area. Or the shallowest bunker in the history of golf... This was even evident on TV. DJ had no reason to believe he was in a hazard, and didn't behave like he was in one. Only when the gallery was removed did photos reveal a bunker.

Bingo. We have a winner. It's still a penalty and unfortunate but a little of the confusion could have been avoided if he was able to see the entire hazard that his ball lay in and not just 5 percent of it.

[MSDOGS1976]

Because it didn't look like a hole with sand it it from his perspective. It just looked like trampled down spectator area. Or the shallowest bunker in the history of golf... This was even evident on TV. DJ had no reason to believe he was in a hazard, and didn't behave like he was in one. Only when the gallery was removed did photos reveal a bunker.

Bingo. We have a winner. It's still a penalty and unfortunate but a little of the confusion could have been avoided if he was able to see the entire hazard that his ball lay in and not just 5 percent of it.

No doubt this was the problem. He knew you couldn't ground your club in a bunker. Although one can argue he should have called an official since his ball was on some sandy soil, the PGA is also to blame for letting patrons stand in the bunkers. I have never seen that before. But it's history now. And Kaymer deserves his victory.

[Cornbread]

And on a side note.... the most fortuneate guy from yesterday was Nick Whatney. He blows a big lead, then shoots a sky high number and afterwards it all goes unnoticed because of the DJ Sand Trap thing. Plus, he gets to watch Golf History happen first hand.