I think it's entirely possible Faldo would have withdrawn under the same circumstances, but we'll never know.

It's BS that Tiger didn't know the rule.

He knew exactly what he was doing dropping it back away from the divot that far.

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Chus, it seems to me like you are way too eager to absolve Tiger of cupability here. I watched all the explanations and there's a chance I got it wrong, but it seems to me like Tiger definitely violated the rules when he took and illegal drop. I'm also certain he didn't do this on purpose, but got confused by all the different options he had an mixed things up in his head and mistakenly placed the ball in the wrong spot thinking that he was allowed to improve his position with the drop when in fact he was supposed to put it in the exact same spot or a couple other places, none of which were where he chose to drop.

Then, if I'm not mistaken, the rules committee did nothing about it and either told Tiger or it was implied that he violated no rules. That gave Tiger the ok to sign the scorecard and submit it.

Later that night, the rules violation was discovered and it was normal grounds for a DQ, but because August didn't rule it to be a DQ prior to the submission of the scorecard, the new rule came into affect and a 2 stroke penalty was assessed.
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So my question is, what would've happened if Augusta realized Tiger made an illegal drop prior to Tiger finishing his round and signing his scorecard? Would he have been DQ'd?

Overall, it seems to me like Tiger clearly violated a rule and improved his position, but he was bailed out by the fact that no one told him he was being penalized until after he signed his scorecard.


Unless I'm missing something, that's what I gathered from watching all the pressers and explanations.

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If they figured it out before he signed the card, I think it's 2 strokes and he would then sign the card. Although my golf rules knowledge is rusty... Is it a DQ for finishing the hole from the bad drop?

Nope, just 2 strokes, as long as they assess before the scorecard is signed. DQ'd for signing incorrect scorecard. Azinger had something very similar happen, tv viewer called in and ratted him out for digging his heels in in a water hazard:

http://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/02/sport ... ified.html

It may appear that way, because I am usually defending him from ridiculous, and unwarranted criticism.



I think you have all of that correct. Faldo, or anybody else who thinks Tiger should have been DQ'd, should take it up with Augusta, and the rules committee. If they tell him it's a two shot penalty, but not a DQ, then he did nothing wrong.



I don't delve into the world of hypothetical questions. They are usually impossible to answer. Nick Faldo can say that he would have WD until he is blue in the face. But, nobody knows, and it comes off as grandstanding.



Many people, in all facets of life, benefit from technicalities.



I think you pretty much nailed it.

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Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

If they cared that much about where you dropped the ball, why doesn't an official do it. Would you let a QB spot the ball at the end of a down? Its just ridiculous.

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I do have to ask, what do you know about golf, the history of it and how much have you ever played?

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2018
#ExtendLafleur
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Every other major and most tournaments have PGA officials who rule on every situation like that, on the course, at the time it happens. Not sure why the Masters does not, but probably that will change next year. Esp since the folks who do it are usually unpaid volunteers with walkie-talkies and a copy of the PGA rule book. In other words, cheap and plentiful.

I have played about a total of five times in my life. The first time I went out to play, some dickweed started screaming at me because I was taking too long. The last time I played, there were a few drunk guys that wanted to start a fight.

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Ok, now I know why it doesn't make sense to you. Not a problem and have a good night.

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2018
#ExtendLafleur
10 More Wins

Yeah, it's a rough sport that draws in the worst kind of people.

Sorry, took a while to get back to this, been busy. But, wanted to follow up on this because your answer is really weak. Its a simple question, not really much of a hypothetical involving countless variables coming into play. Its a simple question, what would've happened if the rules officials realized Tiger made an illegal drop prior to finishing his round and signing the scorecard. Would the penalty have been a DQ or simply a 2 stroke penatly?

You refusing to answer that question really makes you come off like a biased fanboy apologist as opposed to a golf fan.

Its a really simple question, please answer it.

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Nobody is refusing to answer your scary question, counselor.

I'm a fanboy apologist, because I don't think he should have received a DQ for the Masters? That's what the rules officials said. I'm just a fan watching from my couch. I can't recite every rule for you, because I don't know them. The rules committee said "two stroke penalty", so that's what it was. It's pretty simple, really.

If I am just a fanboy apologist, why do you even care what I think?

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

Let me try to clarify.

Prior to the USGA decision change a couple years ago, signing the wrong scorecard is a DQ in almost every circumstance. Had this happened in 2010, for example, Tiger would have been DQ'd.

However, the advent and impact of HDTV on sporting events prompted the USGA to implement a decision -- or addendum -- to the Rules of Golf. Simply stated, if a TV viewer calls in a possible rules violation on a player that unknowingly broke a rule, and then that player signed an incorrect scorecard without knowing it, then that player would be assessed a 2-stroke penalty instead of a DQ. It's actually a very fair rule.

BUT...

After the whistleblower informed Augusta officials that Tiger "may have taken an illegal drop", the officials reviewed the tape and made the judgement that Tiger did not break a rule. The decision to penalize Tiger only came after he admitted to dropping the ball "two yards further back" on an incorrect line. Therefore, Rule 33-7 was enforced by the Committee to waive disqualification and instead refer back to the USGA decision, which mandates a 2-stroke penalty due to a TV viewer starting the whole mess.

If a rules official notices that any player makes an incorrect drop during a tournament round, it is the responsibility of that official to inform the player as soon as possible. If that notification comes after the player has already signed a scorecard, then the player would be DQ'd (because a TV viewer did not call it in).

The USGA, PGA, European Tour and LPGA understand and agree that television viewers should not dictate the outcome of a golf tournament.

Jack Nicklaus' take on Tiger's drop/penalty

http://www.pga.com/news/pga-tour/jack-n ... an-penalty

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way