Masters

[Richie Allen]

He shouldn't have DQ'd himself. The penalty wasn't assessed until after the round was over and the scorecard was already signed. It's occasions like this that the rule was changed so that a player was not unfairly disqualified. And as far as the drop is concerned, the rule states "the ball should be dropped as nearly as possible to the spot where it was last played." To me, that allows some margin for error in determining exactly where the shot was taken from. I guess the two shot penalty should have been given since he admitted to dropping in a place different from where he had originally hit from but if he hadn't said that, I really see no reason for him to have been given a penalty.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

He shouldn't have DQ'd himself. The penalty wasn't assessed until after the round was over and the scorecard was already signed. It's occasions like this that the rule was changed so that a player was not unfairly disqualified. And as far as the drop is concerned, the rule states "the ball should be dropped as nearly as possible to the spot where it was last played." To me, that allows some margin for error in determining exactly where the shot was taken from. I guess the two shot penalty should have been given since he admitted to dropping in a place different from where he had originally hit from but if he hadn't said that, I really see no reason for him to have been given a penalty.

I was with you until I re-read the rule book. Before that, I thought Tiger had 2 club-lengths to drop the ball. But that is only an option at the edge of a lateral water hazard. For the water hazard his ball landed in, it is "nearly as possible to the spot".

Now, here's the thing about that. When I was playing golf tournaments back in the day, even I understood 'nearly as possible' meant just that - as near as possible. You drop the ball as near to your divot or where you stood as you can.

But Tiger admitted he went 2 yards behind that point. I am sure he knew what he was doing. I am sure he knew he was stretching or disregarding that rule. From that standpoint, he should have DQ'ed himself. But the type of player/person he is, he wouldn't.

I have lost whatever respect I had for the guy after re-reading the rules. Not that that matters.

[Jocephus]

so how "big" of a deal is this? i've just read the headlines about a penalty for woods, no details (or do i know the finer details about golf)...now that i read this it seems pretty bad.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

so how "big" of a deal is this? i've just read the headlines about a penalty for woods, no details (or do i know the finer details about golf)...now that i read this it seems pretty bad.

From the standpoint of the rules of tournament, its not a big deal. The Tournament committee, rightly or wrongly, gave Woods a pass because their own determination before he signed his score card was there was no penalty.

But then Woods admits he flaunted the rules by dropping where he shouldn't. That's a 2 stroke penalty. I would think that if Bobby Jones or Clifford Roberts were alive, they would have DQ'ed Woods right there. But money talks. Maybe in this day and age, they wouldn't.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

A lot of what Faldo says comes from a different era, and one that a lot of people don't want to see gone. Basically, it's a sport without refs for the most part, you play honestly, count all your strokes and call penalties against yourself. I distinctly remember a US Amateur where Matt Kuchar was playing, of all people, Tiger in the finals. It was towards the end of a close round, Kuchar had the advantage, iirc, and was in the middle of the fairway hitting a 5 iron for his approach shot. He pull hooked it into the woods, giving Tiger an opening to get back in.

While in the woods, people on TV couldn't really see what was going on, but it was obvious he was in some [expletive]. He hacked away, twice again iirc, and after he hack, said 'that was an attempt' meaning, count it as a shot. No one in the world would have known that unless he had counted it against himself in probably at that point one of the most meaningful holes he had ever played in his life.

People, rightly or wrongly, don't think Tiger has the same 'honor' and will skirt the rules. And, there are pros, like Sergio, who feel the same way....again, rightly or wrongly. If Woods were to win the MAsters, he would undoubtedly be the first to win a major after signing an incorrect scorecard, let alone the first player to not be DQ'd for doing so.

[cardsfansince82]

Things are getting interesting now. Would be a lot more interesting if Tiger still had those two strokes.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

Things are getting interesting now. Would be a lot more interesting if Tiger still had those two strokes.

If he had missed the flag stick Friday and made the birdie it looked like he'd get, he'd be leading at -9.

Great finish here. Cabrara walking off 17. Still anyone's tournament: Day/Scott/Cabrera.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

THAT was a another finish for the ages. Carera and Scott went toe to toe on two holes. Not 3 or 4 yards separating them on any shot. Cabrera just missing 2 birdies and Scott making two huge long putts. Amazing.

[PurdueSTL]

THAT was a another finish for the ages. Carera and Scott went toe to toe on two holes. Not 3 or 4 yards separating them on any shot. Cabrera just missing 2 birdies and Scott making two huge long putts. Amazing.

Such a shame that this has been buried under the mountain of debate over Tiger Woods' character (or lack therof)....

Such is life when ratings numbers are the only thing that matters.

[lukethedrifter]

I'm still confused. Are the ball drop rules that unclear? Does Tiger know that you can't drop the ball in place that betters (potentially) your lie? I thought everyone knew that. Yet he admitted it on television.