no they didn't. he should have never been over there in the first place. maybe this is why we high handicappers do not get any better. So much instruction on proper plane...no instructions on the rules and proper course management. If im Dustins or Bubbas caddy...they are hitting an iron. I would have told them both your not fucking up my check today. hit the damn iron in the fairway. geez they hit 5 iron well over 230 what the hell were they thinking. Cant remember who Breeder was interviewing Friday... but he said that the problem with the new generation is they do not know how to manage their ball. And he was right. As well as my father. Golf is a thinking mans/women sport. idiots need not apply. iron,iron, two putt victory! that's what the guest Breeder interviewed said! And what did Dustin do...I screamed when he chose driver. But the media will make a big fuss about the rules and how they are stupid (no articles about a weak caddy...hell they could have let him sign the wrong scorecard and he would have won jack! The PGA did him a favor. He at least got the fed ex points and a check, Dustin should be sending the officials some money and a thank you note! And handing his caddy a pink slip. But he still hit the shot...Whew. Sorry for the rant... that was hard to watch.

Amen! Soul Brothers!
 

I believe someone with a level head, who can read, and knows the rules of golf, should offer to be DJ's and or Bubba's manager. Can you imagine how those guys would benefit from a man or woman who could speak to them and walk with them on the course to give them the big picture? Hold up little signs like "Geeze, $1,000,000 or so plus the Master's and exemptions out the wazoo for the next couple of years, and endorsements would really be nice after a simple par!" Or, "Less is more, honest.!" :)

What a fun part time/full time job! Kevin, you would be great at it! Great name, Max!

Patrick

I dont blame the officials in any way. The local rule is what it is , be it good or bad.

In fact I kind of have a hunch the officials steered D.J. away from his original assertion that he hadnt grounded the club .........and all that would have entailed, which would have been catastrophic.

On the other hand.....
 

It is not likely that I would have paid as much attention to the event if it were not for the play and position of Steve Elkington. He sure does give one something to calibrate what is happening against. I bet he had a good time. Looks like the type of guy you'd like to sit down and have a beer (or 6) with.

The Bear

A couple of last thoughts i love how the announcers call this pressure- what pressure there millionaires!Its the same as you and me playing for $5, Watson,McIlroy,Gay,Johnson etc etc are rich and have endorsement deals whats the big deal between 500k they dont have the drive even Johnson admitted he was trying to make Ryder Cup team i honestly believe pressure dosent make mistakes its the swing there's only a handful of ballstrikers on tour. We had hickory era then persimmon and steel era now titanium or bomb and find the ball era.8 to 10 wins in a row never again not because of parity because of the swing.

The responsibility for being informed/aware begins and ends with the golfer...no question about that...but two things still bother me...where was his caddie to inform him of the situation?...where else is the gallery allowed to stand in a "bunker" with a player?

HG,

This was discussed last night by Pete Dye on the Breed show. There are bunkers EVERYWHERE off the fairways. If they didn't allow spectators to walk through the bunkers, they wouldn't have been able to allow spectators on the grounds. Just a very unique golf course.

Kevin

I've only caught a bit of the details on this, but had a question for those that watched it.

Was there a rake in the 'bunker'?

Is there any official or local rule about having rakes available in an area deemed a 'bunker' vs a waste area?

Seems to me the standard is that having a rake signals bunker, not having one signals waste area.

(especially when the crowd is allowed to walk in/on the area, which as far as I know, spectators aren't usually allowed to walk in any areas considered bunkers).

Regardless, a sad outcome for Dustin, one that I'm sure he and his caddy won't make again.

Ed,

Does the this rule, given to every competitor change your view on what they considered a bunker for the week?

Kevin

I guess the question is, how can a player know if an area was designed as a bunker, or as a waste area, if the gallery is allowed to walk there, and there are no rakes?

Unless it was also clear that there were no areas considered waste areas on the course? or that any area with sand was to be considered a bunker?