Unpenalized, Rahm stands by ball mark mechanics

Unpenalized and with the DDF Irish Open trophy firmly in his grasp, Jon Rahm stood by the mechanics he used to mark and ultimately replace his ball on the sixth green during the final round that later came under scrutiny.

Rahm’s lag putt rolled to within 2 feet of the hole on No. 6, and as he explained it his ball came to rest directly in front of the mark of playing partner Daniel Im. As a result, he placed his mark slightly to the side of the ball, then moved it a putter head length to get out of Im’s line. When replays showed him replacing the ball, though, he appeared to put it back directly in front of the mark – not to the side.

European Tour officials discussed possibly assessing a two-shot penalty for playing from the wrong spot, a la the one handed down to Lexi Thompson at the ANA Inspiration, but ultimately decided Rahm exercised “reasonable judgment” in replacing his ball and therefore gave him no penalty. Leading by five shots when told of the official decision, Rahm went on to win by six.

Following the round, the Spaniard told Golf Channel that his initial move to mark to the side was “kind of unconventional but the situation called for it” and added that because of the rainy conditions “we kind of did it fast.” But he believes he ultimately replaced the ball in the proper position.

“I moved the mark, put it back, and to my eyes I put the ball back exactly where it was,” Rahm said. “I did not know I might have moved it. I thought it was exactly the same place.”


Dubai Duty Free Irish Open: Articles, photos and videos


Andy McFee, chief rules official for the European Tour, believes there may have been a slight difference between where the ball came to rest and where it was replaced. But he equated it to the difference between 10 o’clock and 11 o’clock on a watch, a slight enough gap that it could be absolved by the new rule created in the wake of Thompson’s imbroglio in April.

“When he put the ball back down, he said, ‘I think I made an effort to put it back to the side,’ which tallies with what I see on the pictures,” McFee said. “Because if he didn’t, he’d be putting it back immediately in front of the marker, and he didn’t. He moved it slightly to the side.

“So do I think he’s got the ball in exactly the right place? No, I don’t. I think the ball is slightly in the wrong place, but we’re talking about maybe a couple millimeters here or there. So then that falls within the limitation of video evidence, and it comes down to has the player made a reasonable judgment? And I believe he has.”

Rahm went on to shoot a final-round 65 and break the tournament scoring record by three shots, and he is hopes that any controversy stemming from the situation will not overshadow 72 holes of stellar play at Portstewart.

“It just kills me that my win will have this little mark on it, just because of things that happen in golf,” Rahm said. “I thought it was exactly the same spot. Andy agreed with me, but on 13 I did tell him, ‘Listen, if it’s a two-shot penalty, let me know now. I’ll accept it. If I’ve done it, I’ve done it.’ I know I’ve knowingly put it on the side; I thought I put it back perfectly.”

Unpenalized, Rahm stands by ball mark mechanics

Source: Internet

Related Posts

LPGA debuting its own behind-the-scenes documentary

Bryson DeChambeau on Dude Perfect video: ‘Times are changing’

Bryson DeChambeau on Dude Perfect – AUGUSTA, Ga. – Count Bryson DeChambeau among those who was surprised Augusta National green-lit the now viral Dude Perfect video. “Everybody was,” DeChambeau said…

Read more
LPGA debuting its own behind-the-scenes documentary

Brooks Koepka has inkling of what Tiger Woods faces in return at Augusta National

Brooks Koepka – AUGUSTA, Ga. – Brooks Koepka at least has some semblance of an idea of what Tiger Woods is facing this week at Augusta National. Last year, it…

Read more
LPGA debuting its own behind-the-scenes documentary

Fred Couples happy to be getting Tiger Woods texts again at Masters

[ad_1] AUGUSTA, Ga. – Fred Couples has become a regular practice round partner of Tiger Woods at the Masters, but as this year’s tournament approached he didn’t expect to hear…

Read more
LPGA debuting its own behind-the-scenes documentary

Collin Morikawa much better at making golf history than recalling it

[ad_1] Collin Morikawa wants to make history. Remembering it, however, is a different story. Morikawa won two majors, the PGA Championship and The Open, prior to turning 25. He’s the…

Read more
LPGA debuting its own behind-the-scenes documentary

Watch: Masters tweets video of Tiger Woods’ Sunday practice round

[ad_1] Tiger Woods arrived at Augusta National on Sunday afternoon after tweeting that competing in the 86th Masters Tournament would be a “game-time decision.” Woods, around 3:20 p.m. ET, warmed up…

Read more
LPGA debuting its own behind-the-scenes documentary

Drive, Chip and Putt recap: Bubba Watson fan Autumn Solesbee among winners

[ad_1] AUGUSTA, Ga. – Waiting for Autumn Solesbee under the iconic oak tree behind Augusta National’s clubhouse was Bubba Watson. As a former Masters champion, Watson has become a regular…

Read more

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *