USGA Announces Local Rule for 18-2 on Putting Green

[Asheville]

14 hours ago, Rulesman said:

Assuming A acted with B's permission, B is penalised 1 stroke. 

The fact that A didn't realise what the marker was there for is irrelevant, he moved it intentionally.

Do you think A needed B's permission?

[Fourputt]

1 hour ago, Asheville said:

Do you think A needed B's permission?

Since they were partners, I don't think so.  From Rule 20-1:

Quote

A ball to be lifted under the Rules may be lifted by the player, his partner or another person authorized by the player. In any such case, the player is responsible for any breach of the Rules

The partner has the same rights for lifting either his own ball or his partner's ball.  I don't see anything wrong with what Player A did until he moved the marker.

[Rulesman]

6 hours ago, Asheville said:

Do you think A needed B's permission?

Sorry, not concentrating. No.

[Asheville]

I didn't make the call; the tournament director happened to be there. In our small world it's hard to say no and he didn't.

After a couple of beers and an evening's reflection, I think that we think that B should have received 1PS. Deliberately picking up the marker is more dopey than it is accidental. :)