Rules Corner

Here’s a brief summary of the rulings that have occurred through the first three rounds of the U.S. Senior Open at Sahalee Country Club.

At this point, we have had a total of 203 rulings, most of which have come from two situations: Water Hazard Rule (72 times) and the Obstruction Rule (35 times). 

Another rule that has come into play has been the Ball Unplayable Rule.  This shouldn’t be surprising with the plethora of trees around the course causing balls to end up in some peculiar locations.

The holes that have received the most action have been the second hole (29 rulings) and par-3 17th hole (35).

I would suspect that today’s final round will be no different from the previous three days in terms of rulings.  Let’s hope for some great play and good golf for our final round! – Wendy Uzelac

During Saturday's third round, Eduardo Romero's ball at rest moved on the putting green on the 11th hole. This raised a question whether he had incurred a penalty under Rule 18-2.

No penalty was appropriate under Rule 18-2b. Although Romero had grounded his club 4 to 6 inches behind the ball, he had not yet taken his stance for the stroke and thus had not yet addressed the ball, as is required by that Rule. In this regard, it is important that Romero intended to reset his feet prior to making the stroke, as was his usual practice in such situations (and as he did when he made his next stroke to hole out).

Nor was any penalty appropriate under Rule 18-2a. Although Romero grounded his club, he did not do so directly behind the ball, but rather 4-6 inches away from the ball. Moreover, when he grounded the club, he did so lightly, and the ball did not immediately move. Rather, it did so only a few seconds later. In these circumstances, and given that the

ball was on a slope on a firm and fast green made of Poa anua grass with little moisture to help keep it at rest, neither Romero nor his fellow-competitor thought that Romero caused the ball to move.