Golf World UK - August 2017

(Ann) #1
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


  1. 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.
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