It was incredible to listen, as the entire announcing crew had not idea what the rule is for a ball that rolls into a hazard on its own. A group of former players, analysts, rules experts, and producers decided he had made an eight, when he actually made seven.
It's sad that we have to give credit to Rickie for knowing how to drop from a penalty area onto a cart path and again from a penalty area without needing a Rules Official. Of course, then he goofed and said "I think I just get to replace it under the new Rules."
Many drops after balls enter a penalty area are on rather severe slopes. Perhaps a decision or rule change is in order allowing for a redrop or placement of the ball if after initially being at rest it then rolls back into the penalty area prior to the ball being addressed with intent to swing. I don’t think a double penalty is in keeping with equity of the situation. Glad Fowler was able to overcome his poor fortune.
No thanks.
It's a ball in play, and then in the penalty area. The Rules make an exception now if you've marked your ball on the putting green, but in the General Area it should be treated the same as any other ball in play. If Rickie had chipped it onto the bank initially, would anyone here doubt that he should require a penalty stroke to take his ball out of the water?
Whats the specific rule here, you're a rules maven right? Doesn't this same rule say that if a squirrel or bird steals your ball and it ends up in the water or off course, you would also have to take a one stroke penalty and drop?
If it is known or virtually certain that an outside influence (including another player in stroke play or another ball) lifted or moved a player’s ball:
- There is no penalty, and
- The ball must be replaced on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated) (see Rule 14.2).
This applies whether or not the player’s ball has been found.
If so, I would think its these kinds of things the rules bodies would want to have lee way on, seems punitive to punish the players for that, especially when its totally out of their control. Or was this one applied differently because he dropped it there?
Leeway for what? A ball in play went into a penalty area. Fred Couples famous shot on 12 in 1992 at Augusta National… his ball staying up or falling in was equally "out of his control," and yet… that too would have been a penalty. Note that the penalty isn't for the ball going into the penalty area - you almost always have the option to play the ball as it lies. The penalty is for the relief you take.
A ball in play went into a penalty area.
Question for the folks who actually know the rules, could Ricky have had his caddie stand behind the ball in order to stop it if it began to roll?
No.
But there was also no time limit on when he had to place it. He could have marked the position, wandered around and checked out the green, and then placed it and fairly promptly played it if he desired. He didn't have to place it immediately and then walk around for awhile.
Haven't had a chance to dig into this one, but ultimately, the issue is where it ended up after it rolled from its previous spot. Could a player use his caddy (or lay down a piece of equipment) to insure that if the ball started rolling, it wouldn't end up back in the haz, er, penalty area?
That would be a penalty.