R.C.G.A. Rules Official not intimidated

[Gary Hill]

On the 18th hole of the Bell Canadian Open, Scott Verplank requested relief from a Temporary Movable Obstruction (grandstand) on his line.

The Rules Official refused to grant him relief, just as Tiger Woods should have been refused relief in the NEC World Golf Championships on August 26 (IMHO).

[Kilroy]

I thought it was excellent when he said "I do not believe you would play that shot". What could Verplank say to that!

It is great when they are picked up on the mike. Players, caddies and officials should all be miked.
Then maybe Curtis would shut up!

So what was the deal with Tiger's relief? Was the cable actually on his intended line of play, or just on some impractical line? That was not clear to me.

[Gary Hill]

The scoreboard cable was ruled to be within a club length of a direct (laser straight) line to the hole. The granting of relief is determined by whether or not this line is an impractical line.

They had an excellent camera view from a hand held camera immediately behind the ball. The 3/8" scoreboard cable guy wire (technically part of the scoreboard) was not in Tiger's line, but the Official ruled that it was within a club length of his line (correct so far as per the Local Rule). Where the on-course official and I disagree is in the application of the exception to the Local Rule. The Local Rule does not grant relief if interference by the temporary immovable obstruction would occur only through use of an unnecessarily abnormal stance, swing or direction of play. IMHO, Tiger was in the trees, had no backswing, and could only get to the cable by threading a miracle shot through a small hole in the trees to get there. He was so close to the trees (two feet) that going over the trees was equally impossible.

It is a judgement call, but the acid test for an official is whether the player would play in that direction if the cable was not there.

IMHO, it was impossible for Tiger to play directly to the hole from that lie, with no backswing, through a one foot diameter hole in front of him, with a bunker protecting the front left portion of the green. Tiger is smart enough to safely chip out sideways. Tiger can play some amazing shots, but he is not known for playing stupidly.

The Local Rule stipulates that it must be credible that the player would be playing directly to the hole. Relief is not granted simply because a laser light could technically get from where the ball lies to the scoreboard cable.

The Rules Official should have just said to Tiger: "I do not believe you would play that shot. No relief." (as was properly done in the case of Scott Verplank).