In winning his fourth green jacket at this year's Masters in Augusta, Ga., Tiger Woods played some tremendous golf. No doubt his victory will be remembered for his miraculous chip shot on No. 16 in the final round, or for the seven consecutive birdies on holes 7–13 in the third round. However, there were some trying times during the first round for Woods, and the Rules of Golf were put to a test as a result of some his more forgettable strokes.
Known as one of the premier putters on the PGA Tour, Tiger was facing a 60-foot eagle at No. 13 following a driver and iron shot to the back of the green. The downhill, right-to-left breaking putt was to a hole location at the front-right of the green. To the surprise of the thousands of patrons who lined the fairway and sat in the bleachers nearby, Woods putted the ball down the hill, past the hole, and into the water hazard in front of the green.
At this point, there were four options available for proceeding under Rule 26-1: 1. Woods could play the ball from where it was at rest in the water hazard, or after adding a penalty stroke; 2. He could play his next stroke from the point at which the previous stroke was played; 3. He could play his next stroke by dropping the ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped (in this case, on the other side of the water hazard); or 4. He could play his next stroke from the ball drop, some 50 yard from the green.
Rule 20-5
Making Next Stroke from Where Previous Stroke Made |
When a player elects or is required to make his next stroke from where a previous stroke was made, he must proceed as follows:
a.) On the Teeing Ground: The ball to be played must be played from within the teeing ground. It may be played from anywhere within the teeing ground and it may be teed.
b.) Through the Green and in a Hazard: The ball to be played must be dropped.
c.) On the Putting Green: The ball to be played must be placed.
Penalty for Breach of Rule 20-5: Match play -- Loss of hole; Stroke play -- Two strokes.
Source: 2004-05 The Rules of Golf |
Woods chose option 2 -- to play the stroke at the same spot from which the previous stoke was played. This meant that he would be hitting the same putt again. However, at this point, Woods was not sure whether he was to drop or place the ball to get it back in play. In almost all cases, when taking relief from a water hazard, the ball is put back into play by dropping it. However, when playing a ball from where the previous stroke was played, Rule 20-5c states that if the ball was played from on the green, the ball shall be placed. Woods correctly sought the advice of the Rules Officials on hand at No. 13 and was advised by PGA of America Rules Committee member Bruce Sudderth that he would place the ball back on the spot. If the exact spot was not determined, he would be expected to estimate the spot and then place the ball on that spot.
Even with this unique ruling on No. 13, Woods put that behind him and returned to his outstanding form, shooting 66-65 over the second and third rounds, and holding on to win the 2005 Masters in a one-hole, sudden-death playoff over Chris DiMarco.
David Price is the PGA head professional at Bent Tree Country Club in Dallas, and is a vice-chairman of the PGA of America Rules of Golf Committee.
