An Unexpected Ruling
In a surprising turn of events at the 2024 Sony Open in Hawaii, Carl Yuan found himself benefiting from a controversial ruling made by a PGA Tour official during the final round.
On the 18th hole, a challenging par 5 stretching 550 yards, Yuan, in a five-way tie for the lead at 16 under, encountered trouble when his tee shot landed in a fairway bunker. His second shot veered off course to the right and appeared destined for a hospitality tent situated along the right side of the fairway. However, Yuan’s ball went missing, prompting a ruling that would spark debate.
A Fortunate Break
Despite the ball’s disappearance, a PGA Tour rules official granted the 26-year-old golfer a free drop in the short grass, two club lengths away from the hospitality stand. The ruling was justified by categorizing the tent as a Temporary Immovable Obstruction (TIO). This stroke of luck allowed Yuan to continue his round, albeit without capitalizing on the opportunity, as he achieved a par and secured the clubhouse lead at 16 under.
“Virtual certainty” it went into the hospitality tent. But they never found the ball…
Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis promptly reported on the broadcast that a rules official expressed confidence, based on video evidence and testimonies from fans in the stand, that the ball had indeed landed in the tent. According to the guidelines set by the USGA and R&A, when a player’s ball cannot be found but is known or virtually certain to have come to rest in a TIO, the player may obtain relief by determining the estimated point where the ball last crossed the edge of the TIO on the course. This point serves as a reference for finding the nearest spot for complete relief.
While video footage captured a white ball soaring near the white tent before vanishing, concerns arise regarding the certainty of the ball’s fate. If the ball remained undiscovered, how could the rules officials or fans be certain it had been lost within the confines of the tent? Additionally, given the lively atmosphere commonly associated with hospitality tents, it is plausible to suggest that if fans heard the ball striking the tent, it could have potentially rebounded out of play, especially considering the ball was never found.
A Puzzling Ruling
This ruling raises eyebrows due to its unusual nature. Though it ultimately did not impact the tournament’s winner, the PGA Tour may face questions about the decision made by the rules official. Clarification and transparency may be necessary to address concerns surrounding this incident and maintain the integrity of the game.
By: Adam Woodard
Title: Controversy at the Sony Open: Carl Yuan’s Questionable Free Drop
Sourced From: golfweek.usatoday.com/2024/01/14/carl-yuan-free-drop-pga-tour-sony-open/
Published Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2024 00:46:52 +0000
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