US Golf Association to review the Ball Movement Rule after Webb Simpson’s loss in Zurich Classic
The US Golf Association has finally showed its willingness to review the notorious Ball Movement Rule which was again brought under the spotlight when Webb Simpson was penalised at last week’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Simpson lost to Bubba Watson on
the second Playoff hole, owing the loss to the penalty at the 15th hole. Simpson was addressing the ball when he accidentally moved the ball. The golfer denies touching the ball and stated that the ball moved because of high winds blowing across
the course.
"I better limit my comments on that rule, because I think it's such a bad rule, when the wind or other natural things affect the golf ball, the player shouldn't be penalized. ... It was just unfortunate, but Bubba deserves a win, and I'm pretty happy for
him," Simpson commented after the tournament.
Vice President, Thomas O'Toole, of the US Golf Association has stated that the rule will be reviewed and hopefully modified before going into the 2012 season. "If some other agency -- wind or gravity -- is known to cause that ball to move, no penalty would
be applied," O'Toole said at the U.S. Open media day at Congressional Country Club.
O’Toole also said that a change in the rule has been under consideration by the Royal & Ancient for nearly seven years and now the US Golf Association will talk with the R&A over the issue. He hinted at making use of the high tech digital television rather
than relying on human judgment, which is not reliable. O’Toole said the Rule 18-2b which refers to the Ball Movement maybe be altered and revised. "If it was known or virtually certain that the player did not cause that ball to move, then the [penalty] does
not apply."
Simpson not only lost the tournament but what could have been his maiden victory on the tour. Many of the top golfers including Luke Donald and Steve Stricker had a disappointing week at Pete Dye-designed Tournament Player Club Louisiana in Avondale. Graeme
McDowell, the reigning Us Open Champion and sturdy Englishman Justin Rose, failed to make the cut after their second round performances. Watson, with his win, is now ranked number ten on the World Golf Ranking and has moved to the top of the FedExCup Points.
He collected a cheque of $1,116,000 out of the total purse of $6,400,000.
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