Golf World UK - August 2017

THE SPIN

August 2017 Golf World 15

KNOW YOUR RULES

Alligatorsseemtobepoppinguponcourseeveryweekthesedays.S what’s the ruleifoneimpedesyourball.

If your ball comes to rest
beside an alligator and your
next shot impeded by its
reptilian girth, if you can’t
just prod it back into the
water à la Cody Gribble,
what should you do?
Don’t flap down the
fairway like Smylie Kaufman
at the Arnold Palmer

Invitational – you are

due relief under Decision

1-4/10 of the Rules.

Not covered specifically

but covered under

‘Dangerous Situation;

Rattlesnake or Bees

Interfere With Play’, the

rules state: “Assuming the

ball lay through the green,

the player may, without

penalty, drop a ball within

one club-lengthofandnot

nearer the hole than the

nearest spot not nearer the

hole that is not dangerous

and is not in a hazard and

not on a putting green.”

Same rules apply if the

ball’s in a hazard or on the

reen–youcanmoveitto

asaferspot,notnearerthe

hole,toensureyoucan

playwithoutfearofbeing

eaten alive.

Once the shot has been

played, then you can ‘make

like Smylie’ and run away

screaming like a child.

More details: http://www.randa.org

MorebadnewsforTiger:hisUSOpenexemption

isalmostup.Sowhatnextfortheailinglegend?

Future uncertain

WOODS’ WOES

One of the perks of winning 14

majors was, for Tiger Woods,

future tournament exemptions.

But not even Tiger can dine on

former glory forever. His victory

on one leg at Torrey Pines in

2008 secured a 10-year

exemption, but that runs out in

2018. After that, Tiger will be at
      the mercy of form and fitness.
      There are multiple ways to

qualify, but it boils down to being

in the world’s top 50 around four

weeks prior to the event. If Tiger

cannot reverse his slide (he’s 788

and falling), from 2019 onwards,

he’d need to go through US Open

qualifying, taking his chances

over 36 holes in a local qualifier.

It begs the question: which

other big-name events may soon

be without golf’s biggest draw?

The Open

Championship 

As a past champion (2000, 2005 and 2006), Tiger is

exempt, but only until he hits 60, in 2036.

WGC-Cadillac



Invitation only, Tiger’s out unless he’s in the world top

50 or the top 10 in FedEx Cup points before the event.

The Masters



As a past champion (1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005),

Tiger can play on for as long as he likes.

WGC-

Bridgestone 

Open only to the world’s top 50, plus winners of a PGA

Tour event in the previous year.

HSBC

Champions 

Convoluted qualifying criteria here, but getting into

the world’s top 50 is the regular route.

PGA

Championship 

His victories in 1999, 2000, 2006 and 2007 make him

exempt for life.

WGC-Match

Play 

This is open only to the world’s top 64 prior to the

event.

The Players



As 2013 winner, Tiger’s five-year exemption will only

see him through to 2018.

WGC-HSBC



Another event open to the world’s top 50 only.

The PGA Tour



At least this one’s safe: any player with 20 or more PGA

Tour wins enjoys lifetime membership. Tiger has 79.