Could you expand on this for those of us not able to watch?

On #5 TW hit a ball way right, ending up in the edge of some thick bush that was viney and with big leaves, ball was unable to be seen, and his shoes were covered with the bush when he stepped near it. Bush was massive, covering the ground completely, and blocking TW shot to the green. It was also in the middle of a waste bunker, although it took up 90% of the bunker from what I could see. He called Kaymer over, they agreed the ball was embedded, so he took a free drop and then blasted out sideways and made bogey on the hole. His 4th bogey in 5 holes.

He turns it around, makes some birdies, and gets into the clubhouse at +1, which is clear of the cut line. He is informed that because it was sandy based he wasn't eligible for a free drop for a plugged ball and was assessed a two shot penalty, which means he misses the cut.

The ruling is what it is. If you can't take relief from a plugged lie in a waste bunker (that's not a hazard remember) then I guess that's the rule and TW should have called a rules official over. But the incident happened on his 5th hole, and for him (apparently) not to be told until after his round was over, 3+ hours later, is ridiculous.

More info.

Apparently TW was told on the 11th tee, but the broadcast crew was completely unaware somehow. So change my lulz to a slight lol.

And here's the local rule:

a. Relief for Embedded Ball
Rule 25-2 provides relief, without penalty, for a ball embedded in its own pitch-mark in any closely mown area through the green. On the putting green, a ball may be lifted and damage caused by the impact of a ball may be repaired (Rules 16-1b and c). When permission to take relief for an embedded ball anywhere through the green would be warranted, the following Local Rule is recommended:

“Through the green, a ball that is embedded in its own pitch-mark in the ground may be lifted, without penalty, cleaned and dropped as near as possible to where it lay but not nearer the hole. The ball when dropped must first strike a part of the course through the green.
Exceptions:

1. A player may not take relief under this Local Rule if the ball is embedded in sand in an area that is not closely mown.
2. A player may not take relief under this Local Rule if interference by anything other than the condition covered by this Local Rule makes the stroke clearly impracticable.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF LOCAL RULE:
Match play – Loss of hole; Stroke play – Two strokes.”

Thanks

I know hindsight is a great thing but are the majority of players not calling a rules official over to be 100% sure?

Didn't see the incident btw, just going by what I read here.

He for sure should have called an official over. I think after making bogies on 3 of the first 4 holes and then hitting it in the bush he was running hot and didn't think the situation all the way through.

Getting a fellow player's opinion should suffice in almost any rules situation, there are only 3 to 4 rules officials on the grounds for the entire tournament per GC. What I find a bit strange about the rule is basically he should have been required to take an unplayable lie/drop and a 1 stroke penalty according to the rules official. Why is it that he undergoes the same process drop wise (without intention of taking a penalty) that he is now forced to take a 2 stroke penalty after being informed of the potential issue?

Tiger did as much or more than any other player out there would have done IMO, unfortunate start for the year...no Tiger/Rory weekend is a bummer.

No way, no how. Players are players, players are not arbiters. Only occasionally this is true in minor situations such as repairing a ball mark and such.

Doesn't matter. If you break a rule, you get penalized. Cut and dried.

Just a case of either not knowing this exact rule which could easily happen as typical rules can differ slightly on various world tours, not playing close enough attention, or simply not giving a crap at the current time.

BO

how is McGinley's Ryder cup appt, being received by the Euro players?

That's a good point actually, clearly he would have marked his card with a bogey but seen as he found out before he signed can he not just change it? Then he makes the cut on the number.

I know there may be ethical issue but is there actually a rule?

As far as I can see, it went down well, he is well respected and liked among the players, much more so than monty. Plus he knows a lot about the game and has a lot of experience as vice captain/captain. Decision was a no brainer in my opinion.

Sorry, I think I mis-spoke or was misunderstood, I was responding to the accusation that Tiger was hot and hastily took the rules into his own hands (which in a way sure he did). I was saying more that he acted as most any other player would have done in asking a fellow player to come take a look see if they agreed and likely make their own judgement from there. Could he have called an official for a definite ruling absolutely and it would not have been wrong at all. But saying he didn't care and completely disregarded the rule I think is wrong.

Either way he is responsible and he accepted the result as anyone would have and should have.

I don't think he didn't care or intentionally disregarded the rule. I just don't think he thought it all the way through. I think he was pissed off and frustrated and just wanted to keep going. If this was the final round of a major he damn sure would've made sure he got a rules official involved.

Once he took the drop he hit the shot pretty fast. He barely waited for the crowd to clear in the direction he was hitting it. Another sign he was running hot.

Rory ditches the Method putter in round 2 and post-round indicates the driver might be next. Y I K E S! Nike can't be happy w/ their new golden boy.

Tiger should have called a rules official over; not hard. That said, some waste bunker, huh? Looked like just a giant bush to me. Seems like bunkers and waste areas should be more clearly defined. Maybe Tiger's just a dumbass, who knows.

Ouch, lol. Tough spot though; Nike wants you to play well but if he's having equipment troubles, Rory missing cuts isn't doing Nike any favors either.

I like watching this course on TV. Looks so damn pristine. Desert golf seems pretty awesome.

It will still be a Nike driver, just a different one, I'd say.

And he said he just thought the Nike putter was too light for the greens, they'll make him a heavier one or whatever it takes.

He switched 3 woods today too. From vr pro on Thursday to covert Friday.

I don't really see why someone like Rory would switch... yea, he'll die with more millions left over than he would if he hadn't, but he and his family will still not be able to spend all the money he'd make, if he'd just stuck with the clubs he's used so far.

Not that I think he won't be able to adapt to new equipment, but still - why bother?

Nice SN

we'll see. if he doesn't get results that Nike putter won't be in the bag.

i know Rory said he was sticking around the course for Sat. and Sun. and "working on things" with his coach on the range. my gut tells me he got on a private jet and jetted off to Australia.

Well yeah, its the same as tiger, he had his scotty for years after his move to Nike. I don't think you'll see him move back to titleist woods and driver though

Oh God Donaldson just opened the door

What a way to win your 1st tournament. Great eagle by Chris Wood on 72nd hole to win by 1 before Sergio and Coetzee.

Garcia 13/2 (7.4) to win in Dubai.

Laying that on Betfair as it's way too short.