Royal & Ancient chief laments Tiger Woods abominable behaviour at Masters, vows to enact strict rules
In a surprise move, the Chief Executive of the Royal & Ancient is now trumpeting to enforce stringent rules for the Open Championship this year, following Tiger Woods club-kicking incident at the Masters.
Peter Dawson criticised Woods’ behaviour over the incident and said that the players’ behaviour will be monitored under the new set of rules and heavy fines will be imposed in case any player in found violating the rules.
When asked about his opinion over Woods’ condemnable behaviour, Dawson replied:
"It's an unedifying spectacle, there is no doubt about that. Public sanctions would not be a bad thing”.
This will be the first time that R & A will be enforcing rules regarding players behaviour in the event and the officials are also contemplating to stretch the rules in other events of the sport.
Dawson hoped that the two dominating tours in the world, the European Tour and the PGA Tour will not have an objection over the new set of rules.
He added, "The European Tour have published (the penalties) once or twice. Both tours know our view on that, but it is a matter for them. I have gone on record as saying more public sanctioning would not be a bad thing. One would have thought public sanctions
would be more likely to lead to a correction of behaviour, rather than private sanctions”.
Woods is currently under scathing criticism from all nooks and corners and his former fellow Ryder Cup Captain Paul Azinger went to the extent of calling him “South end of a north bound mule” over the incident.
The Open Championship will be held at the scenic Royal Lytham and St Annes, the venue of the 2001 Open Championship.
The event will be returning to an all refurbished golf course which has now an added 200 yardage and revamped 12th and 15th holes.
The course also has a new seventh green and will pose a stiff test to the top-ranked players in the field.
Dawson has also made some unprecedented changes in the set of rules for the spectators in the upcoming event and has allowed the use of cell phones on the course.
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