[Yoda]

Man that was harsh decision wasn't it? If I remember the rule correctly, the 10 second clock starts once you get to the ball so if Brian took his normal time getting to the ball then he might of been ok.

A tough ruling for a 2nd year Pro though.

Brian told me the story over dinner in Palm Desert, California, when we were preparing for the new season back in January. I had never seen the video and, in fact, was totally unfamiliar with the situation. But I can tell you that he got fire in his eyes recounting what happened!

For the reason you have stated and because of his proximity to the ball -- he never came close to being able to address it -- he absolutely feels the rule was misapplied in this case.

We never discussed any rules applications to other players -- Brian's comments were directed specifically to his situation only -- but I can only wonder what would have happened had the same putt been stroked from the blade of one Tiger Woods. Care to guess, anyone?

These are the same rules officials that, at the 1999 Phoenix Open, allowed Tiger's gallery to join together and move a huge boulder weighing hundreds of pounds from the line of his shot. http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/so...es_ver4_hi.ram The rule permitting such an outrageous miscarriage of the intent of 'fair play' has since been changed: I mean, when it 'takes a village' to move a natural 'movable' obstruction, is it really movable? And would the 'enlist the gallery' strategy even been an option for a player of lesser stature (or more practically, of lesser gallery)? In lieu of such a gallery, would another player have called in the grounds crew? Or solicited members of another player's gallery? I think not. On the other hand, to his credit, what player other than Tiger would have had the foresight -- or the nerve -- to have called for such a ruling?

And these are the same officials that, at last year's WGC Bridgestone Invitational, ruled that Tiger's shot into the 18th was not OB despite the fact that it sailed over the roof of the clubhouse behind the green and into the dessert man's pie as he unloaded his cart in the parking lot behind it. Not to mention the fact that they couldn't find the ball within the five minutes allotted by rules. Such inconveniences were not a problem: By the officials' own account, they had "evidence" of what might have happened! Well, there you go! And so, El Tigre got a free drop just a few yards from the putting surface and salvaged a most fortituous 5. For more, click here: http://www.pga.com/news/tours/pga-to...tone082506.cfm

It's good to be "The King!"