Sleep Easy, Jim Furyk: The Rule that Declared the Golfer Ineligible to Compete in Barclays Has Now Been Overturned
Self-management and self-discipline in sports are the key ingredients to success. Jim Furyk, known for his looping golf swing, who missed last week’s Barclays tournament because he overslept, should perhaps have known that. Furyk failed to appear for his 7:30 am pro-am tee time due to a mobile-phone alarm issue. The failure to reach at the golf course on time reflects a lack of self-discipline on the part of the famous golf player. Furyk was ranked third in the FedExCup playoffs standings, and dropped to number 8.
It would be exciting news for golf players like Jim Furyk that the PGA Tour has now discarded the rule (that requires punctuality at the golf course, or else). The rule was introduced by PGA in 2004 to curb the rising punctuality issue amongst the golf players. Jim Furyk was vying for the pro-am round at Barclays. He did make an effort to reach the course hurriedly, but was late. Hence the rule was applied and Jim Furyk was declared ineligible to contest.
The Pro-Am round provides an opportunity to amateurs to play with professional golf players. The rule to declare a player ineligible (if not punctual) had been introduced to check the rising trend of late reporting in the golf course.
The rule was criticized by many players, who termed it harsh. According to their logic, the pro-am round doesn’t bind every player to participate in it. Hence, a voluntary game must have relaxed rules.
PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem has now realized the harshness of the penalty. He announced to abandon the ineligibility rule for late arrival in the golf course for the pro-am round. Moreover, he further proclaimed to handle such occurrences as a tour disciplinary matter.
It is pertinent to mention that weekly pro-am at regular Tour events are not considered as part of the competition. However, they gather a large source of revenue for the event. Amateurs are charged thousands of dollars in exchange for providing them an opportunity of playing with the professionals.
Finchem elaborated new rules about penalties incorporated to avoid skipping the pro-am event by players. He said that in addition to participating in the remainder of the pro-am round, players might also be penalized by being asked to perform additional sponsor activity.
A player who misses the pro-am entirely without the excuse of family emergency or illness will still be declared ineligible for the event, cautioned Finchem.
Finchem has urged upon the tour’s advisory council and player directors to review the rules and regulations. The pro-am rules and regulations would be discussed in the latter part of this year, said the Tour Commissioner.
The previous rule was also criticized by professional American golfer Phil Mickelson, who considered the one-sided application of the rule as ridiculous and biased.
Jim Furyk was visibly pleased at the suspension of the rule. In an email, he said: "I am glad the PGA Tour has changed the rule surrounding my disqualification from last week's Barclays Championship. Pro-ams are an integral part of our success out here on the PGA Tour but I'm extremely pleased that commissioner Finchem and the Tour staff has reacted swiftly and modified the rule."
Furyk was upset on his disqualification from last week’s Barclays. According to Furyk, his cell phone lost power somewhere at night and consequently his mobile alarm failed to set off. He woke up at 7:23 and rushed to the golf course. However, to his utter disappointment, there was no chance for him to remain in the competition. Furyk must learn from his mistake and try to be punctual next time.
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