Tournament of Champions: Camilo Villegas disqualified for rule violation
Camilo Villegas of Spain was disqualified from the second round of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions for violating a rule.
The 29-year-old Villegas piled a heap of loose grass in the way of the ball that was coming down the slope of 15th green towards the divot. Due to Villegas' action, the ball stopped, but caused a severe damage to the veteran’s season opener.
According to the Rule 23-1, when a ball is in motion, a loose impediment that might influence the movement of the ball must not be removed. Villegas was charged a two-stroke penalty, which meant the player had to mention it in the scorecard. However, to
his despise, he signed 72 instead of 74 and was disqualified from the tournament for misrepresentation of the scores.
Villegas accepted the mistake and said, “While it is obviously a disappointing way to start the season, the rules are the rules, and when something like this happens, it's important to me that you're respectful of the game and the people involved.”
PGA Tour’s vice president of rules Slugger White addressed a press conference in the clubhouse of Kapalua Resort and confirmed the disqualification of the player.
He said, “It makes me sick ... that it wasn't recognized prior to him signing his card. Unfortunately, it was very obvious what he did.”
White highlighted the fact that with extensive media coverage, tracking a violation became very easy. He said that the players were being watched by television viewers all the time. If the authorities fail to eye a problem, the viewers
did and that did not leave the management with much choice.
White further stated, “Everybody is on TV now. They are televising 18 holes. They are scrutinized more. That is the price of success, I guess. It would have been nice to be on TV all the time. It means you're playing good and making
a lot of money.”
Camilo Villegas received $53,500 as an appearance fee, but no FedEx points. Now, this is what you call a penalty.
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