22 Comments

1. 

   Peter McGill

   Feb 28, 2019 at 8:20 pm

   I always clear on my popularity in the group if they all race up to mark their ball when I’m about to chip…

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2. 

   dan mcco

   Feb 26, 2019 at 6:17 pm

   Change the rule so that a ball cannot be marked unless the player hitting onto the green requests it. Then there is no backstopping issue and everyone gets the “advantage”. We used to make player putt over or around a ball on the green (stymies.)

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3. 

   Matthew Keves

   Feb 26, 2019 at 1:29 pm

   Simple fix…if an opponent’s ball hits yours, you both play it as it lies…no more putting it back where it was. That’ll stop this immediately

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   • 

     Sandra

     Feb 26, 2019 at 1:43 pm

     That’s a good one. I’d go for that AND mark my ball every time!

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4. 

   frank cichon

   Feb 26, 2019 at 12:06 pm

   What a joke! After hitting her chip, Ariya started towards the hole INTENDING to MARK her ball but glanced at Olson and was WAVED OFF by Olson. If anyone that has played the game at a fairly decent level (having some skill) knows that a ball resting within 2 feet right of the hole makes a downhill chip (from a poor lie) MUCH easier. I my mind Olson took advantage and hit the shot MUCH quicker than she would have. I think Olson should have been penalized …not Ariya because Olson waved her off. As for not holding up play…did I not see Wie standing on the fringe of the green (NO CLUB in hand) waiting for a RULING. WHAT A MONTH FOR GOLF……..KUCHER, DJ’s ruling was another JOKE ….I lost a lot of respect for ALL 3 of these golfers.

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5. 

   UpstateGolfer

   Feb 26, 2019 at 9:34 am

   Rub of the green. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it hurts. I am for the speed up of play and if it helps a player every now and again so be it. Non-Issue.

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6. 

   Tim Armington

   Feb 26, 2019 at 9:14 am

   If she is good enough to hit a 1.5″ ball at will why wouldn’t she aim at the 4.5″ hole? It speeds up play and should be a non-issue!

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7. 

   Jim

   Feb 26, 2019 at 9:13 am

   Gianni,

   Words are significant! Your use of the word “denies” in your column above implies there was guilt. A much more positive word would have been the truthful “explains” what happened. I’m tired of all you journalists and so-called experts taking the negative viewpoint on everything, especially Chamblee!

   Regarding the backstopping, Amy made an error in judgement trying to protect the field from slow play by playing fast. That’s all.

   Stop trying to make something sinister or negative out of it and get on with life and more important things!

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8. 

   Dennis

   Feb 26, 2019 at 9:02 am

   Require a ball on the green must be marked before the next player plays his/her shot.

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   • 

     Dave R

     Feb 26, 2019 at 10:50 am

     Curious…how far away 100yds…50yds
     This whole “backstopping” thing is ludicrous…

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9. 

   joro

   Feb 26, 2019 at 8:59 am

   So what, there is no rule against it and it is done all the time. A person chips it close and rather than wait for the player to mark it, which takes time, the next player hits. So big deal, it is stupid to even comment on it. It has been going on forever.

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10. 

    Tiger Noods

    Feb 26, 2019 at 5:49 am

    You guys are full of it. The word “likely” is used in the rule, and by all accounts, likely by definition is better than a 50% chance. The thought that you are all suggesting that it was *LIKELY* that the other ball would be hit from a pitch from off the green is flatly preposterous. If it were “likely”, then imagine how easily a larger target, like a 4.25″ hole would be hit from there… this was just a wee little 1.68″ ball!

    You either expect these ladies to be shooting 59s consistently, or you are putting way, way too much into this.

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11. 

    JP

    Feb 25, 2019 at 9:42 pm

    Jutanugarn was on her way up to mark her ball. She knew it was likely to get hit. Olsen waved her off and proceeded to do just that.
    Everyone who saw it knew it was a rule infraction.

    Like already said, if this were match play, there’s no way Jutanugarn doesn’t mark her ball!

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    • 

      scott

      Feb 26, 2019 at 2:21 pm

      “likely”? Why didn’t she just hit the stick instead of the ball that was 2 feet to the right? Wouldn’t it be easier if she would have just hit the stick and made the chip instead of hitting the other ball?

      But I guess you are right EVERYONE knew it was a rules infraction. Let’s not let the fact that it IS NOT a rules infraction get in the way of your story.

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      • 

        JP

        Feb 26, 2019 at 3:47 pm

        “Likely” as in it had a good chance! It was in close proximity to the intended target. So yes, it was likely to get hit.
        .
        Oh wait! Not just likely, it DID get hit! That’s how likely a ball somewhat close to the pin is to get hit. A distinct possibility. That’s why there is a rule about this.
        .
        Given the choice, I’d love to have a ball or two somewhat close to the pin each and every time I chip up. And I’d prefer those balls be just left, right, or behind the cup. Why? Because it’s likely I’ll hit them once in a while and it will help. Or is there a rule regarding this???

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12. 

    Tom

    Feb 25, 2019 at 2:33 pm

    Both spectators watching the women’s golf noticed the infraction…..lol!

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13. 

    2putttom

    Feb 25, 2019 at 1:45 pm

    what does the “rule” say

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14. 

    thebigdad

    Feb 25, 2019 at 11:58 am

    I can assure you had Jutanugarn’s ball been in front of the hole, Olsen would have insisted it be marked.

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15. 

    bob

    Feb 25, 2019 at 11:06 am

    So they want to speed up play, but you have to stop to mark every ball on the green.

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    • 

      kevin

      Feb 25, 2019 at 1:38 pm

      it took the players 12 seconds from the shot to walk to the green and fist pump. marking a ball sitting next to the cup does is not the reason why players are slow.

      the simple test should be whether or not the ball would’ve been marked during match play. guarantee it would’ve.

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      • 

        Matt D

        Feb 25, 2019 at 4:37 pm

        100% right Kevin. Jutanagarn’s instinct was to mark it because it might give Amy an advantage. Jutanagarn is entitled under the rules to mark her ball, or have any other ball marked if there’s an advantage. My guess is she didn’t want to make waves so just left it.

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16. 

    Jon G

    Feb 25, 2019 at 9:48 am

    Players need to know the rules. I like Amy, but ignorance of the rules for any player in a sport they play for a living is not good for the sport,

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