World Cup of Golf : daily leaderboard analysis, highlights and more



While it doesn't get the international attention of the other World Cup, the World Cup of Golf is one of the truly unique events in the sport. Pitting 26 teams against one another, each representing a different country, the heart of the 2013 World Cup of Golf is which side comes out on top.


Invitations are doled out to the world's Top 15 players, with no more than four players from the same country being allowed to compete. There is no requirement for participation. From there, players are added to the field two at a time until the field of 60 is filled, thus creating as close to an evenly matched format as possible.


For countries with more than two players, only the top two scores will be recorded. 


The event is mostly structured to be a precursor to the 2016 Summer Olympics, where golf will return to the program after more than a century away. There will be no team element to the events in Rio De Janeiro, but this year's World Cup format was changed to four rounds of stroke play in order mirror what participants can expect in a few years.


The United States has won the event a record 24 times and comes in as the defending champions. Matt Kuchar is returning from his 2011 victory to team with Kevin Streelman, but there is actually a good amount of competition in the field this year. Adam Scott, the world's second-ranked player, is joined by Jason Day for the host country. 


Individually, the players will also be competing for a massive purse of $7 million, including $1.2 million for the winner. The country that wins the team event will split a $1 million prize, so it's not all that bad to be on a great team, either.


With that in mind, here is a complete breakdown of all the day-by-day action from Melbourne, highlighting the individual and team results.


The day belonged to Australia.


Jason Day shot a one-under 70 in Melbourne on Sunday, holding off Denmark's Thomas Bjorn to capture the World Cup of Golf individual title. The 26-year-old notched an impressive three top-10s in majors this year, but this was surprisingly just his first tournament win since 2010. 


Here's a look at the final individual standings, courtesy of WorldCup.PGATour.com:

PosPlayerCountryRd 1Rd 2Rd 3Rd 4Total

Not only did he capture the impressive individual title, but Day and red-hot Adam Scott, who shot a five-under 66 to skyrocket to third place overall, won the team title for Australia with a combined 17-under for the tournament. 


And it wasn't even close. 


USA, behind Matt Kuchar and Kevin Streelman, came in second at seven-under, while Denmark (Bjorn and Thorbjorn Olesen) and Japan (Ryo Ishikawa and Hideto Tanihara) finished tied at five-under.


Here's a look at the final team standings:


Jason Day birdied his first two holes on Saturday, and it was a sign of things to come as he soared to the top of the leaderboard with a five-under 66 to get to nine under overall.


That was good enough to give the Aussie a one-stroke lead over Thomas Bjorn, who has hovered among the leaders since the beginning of the event at Royal Melbourne Golf Club.


Before taking a closer look at the players' rounds, here is a list of scores from the top contenders:

PosPlayerCountryRd 1Rd 2Rd 3Total

Bjorn matched Day with a birdie at the par-four first, but that would be one of only two on the day for the Danish veteran.


The American side took a bit of a hit when Kevin Streelman went bogey, double bogey and bogey on Nos. 2 through 4 to begin his round. Streelman, to his credit, fought back amiably from that nightmare start and played one under par the rest of the way. However, it resulted in a three-over 74.


USA compatriot Matt Kuchar carded a second straight 68, with this one being bogey-free and a testament to the consistency Kuch has displayed on the PGA Tour over the past couple of seasons.


Another world-class player in Adam Scott has bounced back after a disappointing 75 to open the tournament, as Scott has fired consecutive 68s of his own. It's helped vault Australia to the top of the team standings, one stroke ahead of the United States.


Here is a look at the team standings, which will be an intriguing battle to watch on Sunday:


One shot behind Kuchar in the individual standings at five under is Francesco Molinari, who matched Day's 66 for, well, the round of the day.


Don't count out major champion Graeme McDowell either. His round of 67 shot him back into contention at minus-four, just five strokes off Day's pace entering the final day.


Perhaps the most colorful tale of the day belonged to Stuart Manley, who began with two birdies before sinking a hole-in-one on the par-three third hole.


On the very next hole, Manley made an 11 on a par-four. A septuple bogey. He bounced back, though, salvaging a one-over 72 even with a bogey at the last—thanks largely to an eagle at the par-five 15th.


Reigning PGA Championship winner Jason Dufner poked a little fun at the 11:



Golf is a funny game sometimes.


Note: Leaderboards are courtesy of GolfChannel.com.


It was business as usual at the top of the leaderboard by the time Day 2 had concluded at the 2013 edition of the World Cup of Golf.


Denmark's very own Thomas Bjorn added five more birdies on the day to bring his total to 12 through the first two days.


USA's Kevin Steelman kept things interesting by hanging around courtesy of five birdies, but a bogey on eight and a double bogey on nine was the stretch that ruined his chances of taking the top spot.


Perhaps the biggest story of the day was Australia's Adam Scott, who shot his way back from a horrific 75 on Thursday to sit at one-over and bring his country back into the picture in the standings.


Here's a look at how the leaderboard played out, courtesy of the Golf Channel:


The United States managed to pull away from Denmark thanks to Steelman's performance, but a late push from Matt Kuchar and his 68 with four birdies to end the day tied for fifth kicked in as well.


Denmark retained second place, but it was Australia that was able to sneak into the shaky field thanks to the excellent performance from Scott and another solid effort from Jason Day, who did just enough with his 70 to remain tied for third.


Here's a look at the team leaderboard, via the Golf Channel:


Day started Friday's action two shots off the co-leaders, but his country's status in the standings has to be reassuring at this point.


An impressive performance from Hideto Tanihara with five birdies not only catapulted him into contention, but brought Japan into the conversation as well.


If you want to be the king, you've got to beat the king. Through the first day of play at the 2013 World Cup of Golf, Kevin Streelman is making sure the United States keeps its crown.


But Dane Thomas Bjorn is having his own ideas. 


Streelman shot a five-under score of 66, tying Bjorn and helping the United States sit in a deadlock with Denmark after Thursday. The 35-year-old Illinois native shot a whopping seven birdies and stuck in the lead for most of his back nine but bogeyed on No. 18 to finish in a tie with Bjorn. At one point, Streelman went under-par on five of his first six holes on the back nine. 


Bjorn equalled the American's birdie total but carded an early double bogey that was the only downfall of his round. The duo atop the leaderboard holds an advantage over a solid triad of players at four-under, on an afternoon where the course conditions didn't afford many low scores. Here's a look at how the leaderboard played out, courtesy of PGATour.com:


The team competition almost entirely belonged to Denmark and the United States in Round 1. Matt Kuchar and Thorbjorn Olesen, Streelman and Bjorn's partners, respectively, each shot even-par rounds, so Denmark and the United States are tied for the overall lead at five-under. While that number isn't as great as they hoped, it's good enough for a two-stroke lead over Portugal at two-under. 


Those three countries were the only ones with multiple strokes under-par. Throughout the day, it seemed all other teams would take one step forward for every one step back. If there were such a thing as team chemistry in golf—and there's not, especially in this event where the golfers are playing their rounds separately—most would have been low.


Here's a look at the team leaderboard, via PGATour.com:


Surprisingly, the pressure of playing before his home crowd got to world No. 2 Adam Scott. The Aussie struggled to find his rhythm the entire day and then saw his round go completely off the rails on the par-four 13th. Spraying the ball all over the hole and taking multiple drops, Scott wound up carding a nine. While he played the other holes one-under, Scott is hanging well behind overall at four-over. 


Jason Day was able to prop up his countryman with a three-under day to keep Australia on the fringes of contention. New Zealanders Michael Hendry and Tim Wilkinson also struggled their way to finishing as one of three countries at 10-over or worse. 


In all, though, this was a day befitting the World Cup moniker. The low scores were rather few and far between considering the solid field, and more importantly, a ton of golf-loving countries had something to root for.


For now, the United States and Denmark get to cheer the loudest. It will be interesting to see whether this continues, or some other country—looking at you Australia—can make a come-from-behind effort to get back in the mix. 



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Jason day shooting 70 to capture the World Cup at the Royal Melbourne



Jason Day fired one-under round of 70 to survive a talented field, marked by fellow contenders Thomas Bjorn, Adam Scott and Matt Kuchar, to win the World Cup of Golf at the Royal Melbourne. The format of the tournament for this year event, making it an individual match with the team aspect secondary changes. Day also won that part next to compatriot Scott. The pair combined to form complete lines 17 under par.

As Dennis Passa the Associated Press (via ABC News) points out, it was the first tournament in five weeks for the day, which relatives in this month Typhoon in the Philippines lost:



The World Cup day's first tournament was in five weeks and came two weeks after he learned that eight of his relatives, including his grandmother, died Nov. 9 in the typhoon in the Philippines.


His mother, who migrated to Australia from the Philippines 30 years ago, and sister were just off the green on 18. Both hugged him as he walked toward the scoring tent to sign his card.


On 10 under par won the Australian the event by two strokes over Bjorn and three lines about Scott, who made a charge in the final round but could not capture his partner for the individual title. Although the day is a constant presence near the top of the leaderboard, especially during the majors, marks the victory in Melbourne his first victory since the HP Byron Nelson Championship in 2010. His only other victory came on the Nationwide Tour legend financial group Classic in 2007.


The strong showing could bode well for the 26-year-old. His ability to compete at a high level in major tournaments was always a good sign, but if he can start turning this close calls in wins, he can become one of the best players in the world. Coming out on top in the World Cup of Golf is a step in the right direction for the day, but larger WINS are likely on the horizon.


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Ko has 71-71 posted about her first two rounds in the CME defending champion on Tiburon in Naples, Florida. She is T-23 on two-under par and trails the leader Sandra Gal by nine shots. She was a factor in the Evian Championship in September and finished runner-up, only two shots behind the winner, Suzann Pettersen. Play like a Pro is much different than competing as an amateur. Pressure to perform for sponsors and fans can affect the general attitude.


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Ranking of the most accomplished Golfers among us Presidents



Golf and the presidency have long been intertwined. Many of our strongest occupants of the Oval Office have carried a passion for playing and promoting the game, both during their time in the White House and beyond it. For some, it’s the competition, while for others it’s an escape from the unimaginable pressures of leading the free world. Whatever the motivation, the sport has long been as significant to presidents as they have been to the game itself.


Some are judged by their proficiency at the sport, while others for their larger contributions to it. The really special ones have made a memorable imprint on both. Among those is President John F. Kennedy, who by most accounts is the best golfer to have ever lived in the White House. On Nov. 22, the country will remember and mourn the 50th anniversary of Kennedy’s assassination. It will also celebrate the man who led us to the moon, successfully navigated the Cuban Missile Crisis, fought for civil rights and other social change, and uplifted a nation during difficult times.


It’s an appropriate time to remember just how good a golfer the 35th president was, and just how much he respected and enjoyed the game. It’s also an opportunity to acknowledge the short list of presidents who, to one extent or another, have left an indelible mark on the game. In honor of Kennedy, a leader taken far too soon, here are the top presidential golfers who have had significant impacts on the sport.


Presidential Credentials


Like many right-leaning presidents, Ford was a relatively easy target for the national media, which often depicted him as a clumsy and klutzy man who was in over his head both in and out of the Oval Office. Those issues aside, Ford was passionate about the game of golf and often shot in the 80s. More importantly, the former president, who assumed office after Richard Nixon resigned in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal, did more than his share to promote the game both while in office and after he left it.


Ford—a former football player—did wonders for the United States Golf Association by being the first to register for its members program in an Oval Office ceremony in 1975. He was the honorary chairman of the first Presidents Cup back in 1994. Some of his most memorable moments in the sport, however, came through his relationship with legendary entertainer Bob Hope, whom Ford typically partnered with during the PGA Tour’s Bob Hope Chrysler Classic years ago.


While the two were good friends, the humorous entertainer never hesitated to take well-intentioned shots at his political pal, which only added to Ford’s popularity and effect on the game. “Whenever I play with him, I usually try to make it a foursome,” Hope is quoted as saying about Ford. “The President, myself, a paramedic and a faith healer.”


Fun Fact


Anyone who has ever played in a pro-am or well-attended charity event understands the fear of pelting unsuspecting spectators with a misguided golf ball. The 38th president of the United States was the Oval Office poster boy of that tendency. Ford is well-known for hitting spectators with his wayward golf shots, and unfortunately, several of those incidents were caught on camera, adding to the image of the president as a clumsy man and lesser golfer than he actually was. Politics can be a dangerous game, but watching the former president play the sport from outside the ropes could be just as dangerous.


Quotable


“I would like to deny all allegations by Bob Hope that during my last game of golf, I hit a birdie, an eagle, an elk and a moose.”—Gerald Ford. “I know I am getting better at golf because I am hitting fewer spectators.”—Gerald Ford.


Presidential Credentials


Like Ford, Bush didn't get much credit for his intellect or ability as an orator during his time as president. That notwithstanding, few commanders in chief can claim to be as enthusiastic a sports fan as Bush, which includes his dedication to the game of golf. Not only did he own the Texas Rangers for a period of time, the 43rd president is an ardent golf fan who understands the sport's significant impact on society as much as any who’s held the office in the past century.


Given the challenges he faced during his tenure, Bush didn't play as often as other leaders before and after him. In fact, Bush stopped playing entirely in 2003 because he didn't want to appear insensitive to the war going on in Iraq. Since leaving office in 2009, however, he has carried on his family's strong support of the game. For the past three years, Bush has hosted the Warrior Open in Irving, Texas, a 36-hole charity event that benefits wounded warriors from the armed forces and others who have been hurt in the fight against terror.


In addition to that, Bush has followed in his father’s footsteps as a prominent supporter of The First Tee Program and the prestigious Walker Cup, which was created by his maternal great-grandfather, George Herbert Walker.


A Fun Fact


In a classic case of strange bedfellows, Bush recently found himself defending President Barack Obama, a significant critic of his presidency during the Republican's second term in office. Since succeeding Bush in 2009, Obama has been accused by many on the right for playing too much golf rather than tending to the matters of running the country. Instead of joining in on the criticism a couple months ago, the former Texas governor defended Obama's penchant for playing the game, pointing out the stress of the job and the release the sport can ultimately provide.


Quotable


"I see our president criticized for playing golf, I don't, I think he ought to play golf. I know what it's like to be in the bubble and I know the pressures of the job. To be able to get outside and play golf with some of your pals is important for the president."—George W. Bush told NBC Sport’s Jimmy Roberts. "The example of these folks out here today is an important example for our fellow citizens. You can either be defeated or defeat your injury. They all have chosen to defeat.”—George W. Bush to ABC News’ Josh Elliott during the Warrior Open. 


Presidential Credentials


Not since Eisenhower has there been a president who plays as much golf as Barack Obama has in his first five years in office. A significant sports fan, Obama was credited with hitting the links more often in his initial nine months in office than his predecessor George W. Bush did in his eight years as president. As of this past September, Obama is reported to have played 140 rounds of golf—or an average of 2.5 times a month since taking office back in January 2009 (per USA Today's Chris Chase).


Given that, the athletic president, who also enjoys playing basketball just as much as golf, has been the subject of many stories surrounding his golf trips to Florida, dozens and dozens of rounds at Andrews Air Force Base and Fort Belvoir, and overall unapologetic nature for time spent on the links and away from the Oval Office. In addition to his golf acumen, the 44th president has also promoted the game beyond his own enjoyment, supporting the Presidents Cup during his two tenures in office and promoting the First Tee Program as well.


Fun Fact


The most powerful golfer in the world recently teed it up at one of the most revered Florida courses made famous by Bill Murray, Rodney Dangerfield and Chevy Chase years ago. Earlier this month, Obama played Grande Oaks Golf Club in Florida, home course to the cult classic film Caddyshack, which remains among the greatest golf movies ever made some 30 years after its original release.


As if that wasn't enough to make for a memorable day at the ritzy Fort Lauderdale club, the president was joined by former NBA All-Star Alonzo Mourning for the 18-hole outing. It was the second star-studded round for Obama this year after teeing it up with Tiger Woods in Florida several months ago. There’s playing golf, and then there’s playing golf in style like only Obama can.


Quotable


“That’s probably for the best because if I started playing better everyone would be suspicious that I’m not working very hard.”—President Barack Obama, telling Fred Couples earlier this year that his golf game hasn't improved since they first met in 2009.

Presidential Credentials

Bill Clinton has loved and promoted the game of golf as much as any president, even if his respect for at least some of the sport’s rules were often called into question. Clinton, who has played with top PGA Tour stars such as Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman and, most recently, Rory McIlroy throughout his political career, has been known to take more than his fair share of mulligans to the point many changed the term to taking a "Billigan."


Yet, while one would want to keep a close eye on the 42nd president in a high stakes match-play tussle, there’s no denying the Democrat’s appreciation for the game he’s played since the age of 12. Indeed, the sport has always held a significant place for Clinton, who reportedly was playing to a 10 handicap a year after leaving office (no confirmation on whether that included a mulligan).


The former president has also remained front and center in the sport through his William J. Clinton Foundation, which supports the PGA Tour’s Humana Challenge, the successor to the popular Bob Hope Classic at La Quinta Country Club in California. In part through its partnership with the event, the Clinton Foundation helps strengthen health systems in developing countries, fights climate change and helps Americans, including children, lead healthier lives.


Fun Fact


One of Clinton’s favorite moments on the golf course came years ago while playing with the great Nicklaus and former President Ford in Vail. During the round, Clinton out-drove Nicklaus on a par-five—the only time he bested the Golden Bear off the tee during the round. He went on to miss a relatively short eagle putt after reaching the green in two, but that didn't put a damper on the small-but-memorable accomplishment. “I out-drove Nicklaus only once, by a yard. It was one of the happiest moments of my golfing life,” said Clinton.


Quotable


“Golf is like life in a lot of ways. All the biggest wounds are self-inflicted.”—President Bill Clinton.


Presidential Credentials


Had Kennedy not been robbed of so many years of his life, there’s no telling exactly how influential the 35th president could have been to the game. Undeniably, there was a lot more golf left in the Massachusetts native, and his passion for the sport would have continued long after he left the White House. Kennedy, however, didn't get that opportunity to live beyond his trip to Dallas in 1963, yet that doesn't change the fact that he's among the most significant golfing presidents we've seen during the past 50-plus years.


Given how frequently Eisenhower played before him, Kennedy was reticent to let the American people see him playing golf early in his tenure. Yet as time went on, the president became more comfortable and afforded the public a true glimpse of just how important the game was to him and how proficient he could be at it. When his chronic back pain allowed, the dynamic leader had a graceful swing that, by most accounts, afforded him a single-digit handicap, certainly the best of the golfers on this list.


Unfortunately, Kennedy didn't get the opportunity to do for the game what so many other presidents have after leaving office. That said, his appreciation of the sport, ability to play it and his influence on the American people certainly warrant his place as a significant contributor to golf's growth and popularity during his time in office.


Fun Fact


In August 1963, Kennedy was looking to improve his golf game and was preparing to turn to a king for the help he desired—as in golf great Arnold Palmer. According to a Sports Illustrated report, the president called upon a White House photographer to take silent film of him while practicing at Hyannisport Club in Massachusetts, and the plan was to have Palmer come to the White House and review the tape with him later that year.


Quotable


“It is true that my predecessor did not object, as I do, to pictures of one's golf skill in action. But neither, on the other hand, did he ever bean a Secret Serviceman.”—President John F. Kennedy on his preference not to be seen playing golf during his early years in office.


Presidential Credentials


One could argue that Eisenhower belongs at the top of this list and would have a very strong case to be made; few men of such power have done more to popularize the sport. While many presidents (Obama notwithstanding) preferred to limit their play while in office and stay away from the cameras when they did, Eisenhower made no such efforts. In fact, estimates say he played in the neighborhood of 800 rounds of golf during his two terms in office, making him a true Golfer in Chief.  


The president played the top golf courses in the country, but is best remembered as a 21-year member of Augusta National, where he often traveled to during his time in office. When he couldn't get to the golf course, however, Eisenhower finished many of his stressful days by working on his putting and short game on a practice green he had installed on the White House grounds.


Though never a great golfer, the former Army linebacker and running back, managed to make himself into a good player with a handicap that shifted between 14 and 18. Yet, it was his dedication to the game and willingness to let the American people see him play that helped to grow the sport during his years in office. In 2009, Eisenhower became the first-ever president to be elected into the World Golf Hall of Fame in the Lifetime Achievement Category.


Fun Fact


During his time as a member of Augusta National, Eisenhower became increasingly displeased with a sizable tree that guarded the left side of the 17th fairway on the legendary course. The 34th president found that loblolly pine with many a drive and, eventually, proposed its removal during a 1956 meeting of the club’s governors. It’s one of the few debates the president lost in his time; the tree still towers at the home of the Masters to this day. It’s also got a name—The Eisenhower Tree.


Quotable


"If (President Eisenhower) slices the budget like he slices a golf ball, the nation has nothing to worry about.”—Bob Hope. “My constant prayer, these days, as I start my backswing is, ‘Oh, please let me swing slowly.’ The trouble is that sometimes I wonder whether I swing at all; whether I am strictly a chopper.”—President Dwight D. Eisenhower in a 1951 letter to Bobby Jones.


Presidential Credentials


If there’s a presidential first family of golf, it would be the Bush clan, and George H.W. Bush would be the patriarch by a good measure. The 41st president of the United States is not only in the World Golf Hall of Fame for his lifetime achievements in the game, but he has been a leader of the First Tee movement, a strong proponent of the Walker Cup and an honorary captain of the United States Presidents Cup team.


It’s anything but surprising that Bush would be such a central figure in the game considering his lineage. His father, Prescott Bush, was a past president of the USGA, as was his maternal grandfather, George Herbert Walker, who also established the prestigious Walker Cup. Bush, however, has certainly carved his own path in the game that compares favorably with his significant political and humanitarian accomplishments.


The former vice president under Ronald Reagan was the original honorary chairman of The First Tee and earned the PGA of America Distinguished Service Award in 1997 and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the PGA Tour in 2009. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011. In addition to his contributions to the sport, the one-term president was a solid golfer in his prime and managed to get his handicap as low as 11. He's also been known for his preference for fast play on the golf course.


Fun Fact


Bush was soundly defeated in his bid for re-election by Clinton in 1992. Yet, some 13 years later the former political rivals would become close friends after working together on the 2005 Asian tsunami relief effort. Considering how important golf is to both men, that friendship naturally spilled over to the course where the pair have often played together and shared prominent roles in the evolution of The Presidents Cup.


Quotable


“I am a great believer in moving pretty fast around a golf course. Well, President Bush made sure that happened.”—Golf great and fellow World Golf Hall of Fame member Arnold Palmer on Bush’s quick pace of play. “I do love the game.”—George H. W. Bush.


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The USGA and R have made things worse with A and decision 18/4?



The USGA have officially address the issue & A & R of viewers calling in penalties after having witnessed the fine by using a HD TV replay, at least with respect to an illegal movement of the golf ball. This is an issue that has driven fiery golf fans crazy for years and has wreaked havoc on a number of golf's biggest events.


Last week, in a joint statement published by the USGA and R & A as part of their bi-annual review of the rules of the game, it was explained that "decision 18/4 provides that where improved technological evidence (e.g. HDTV, digital recording or Visual media online, etc.) shows that a ball has left its position and come to rest on another locatiede ball shall not be deemed to have moved if that movement is not reasonably observable with the naked eye at the time was. "


This essentially means that if a slow motion HD television replay a player ball put by a quarter of an inch and the rules officials decide shows that the player can not have reasonable considering his or her golf ball moving with their naked eye, that the player is not a punishment for the violation of the rules will incur.


This is a change on line 18-2 ("Ball at Rest moved: by player, Partner, Caddie or equipment") of the rules of Golf and is essentially a step ahead of rule 33-7, which was implemented in April 2011 and apart from disqualification for a player that an incorrect scorecard following a round in which that player committed a rules violation that was later established through video evidence signed.


While it's always good to see the USGA and R & a working address new forms of technology that have a detrimental effect on the game of golf can, decision 18/4 actually seems to make an even larger grey area than before, and will more than likely also places many players and rules officials in difficult situations during the next few years.


Prior to decision 18/4 was the rule clear. As a HD TV replay showed that a violation of the rules had occurred, the player had no choice but to accept the punishment. It made no difference how the rules violation was identified (using the naked eye or by using a HD TV replay).


But now the waters have grown even modderiger around the use of instant replay to identify violations of the rules.


Rules officials are essentially being asked to read the minds of the players. Whereas previously a rules official would simply need to watch a HD television playback and decide whether or not a violation of the rules had occurred on the basis of what is often very clear evidence, was now must not only determine rules officials or a violation of the rules has taken place, but must also jump was in the minds of the players to decide whether or not that the offense rules, or should have seen with the naked eye.


How in the world is an official of the rules intended to do that?


Decision 18/4 also brings players in a very difficult situation as they are in the same boat as the rules officials were before this amendment of the rules of Golf. If a player turned out to be a HD TV replay which clearly showed that a violation of the rules had occurred, that player had no choice but to accept the punishment. But that is no longer the case. Players are now allowed to contest the violation of the rules based on them having regard to the not with their naked eye while on the golf course.


This allows players to put in a very awkward situation because golf is always a self-governing gentleman's game where players are been entrusted is Call penalties on themselves when deemed appropriate. So, decision 18/4 can cause many players to feel uncomfortable about not accepting a punishment because they don't happen to see the criminal action. It could raise questions in the minds of the player, such as:

I've seen the punishment should occur?The rest of the field will believe that I really don't see the criminal action?What will the media and the general public think if I don't accept the punishment on the basis of the given the not with my naked eye?

This new amendment to the rules of Golf also has opportunities for the creation of a huge firestorm around simple rules violations. There are bound to be numerous cases of a player does not accept a penalty based on their ball move not seen with their naked eye, while the general public, the media and even their peers may disagree, thus reducing the chance of the term of the dreaded "cheat" being thrown around the game a bit more often.


There is also the potential for friction between players and rules officials — what happens when a player is adamant that he or she does not and could not have seen the violation of the rules occur with his or her naked eye while the official rules concludes that the player has or at least this offense occur with his or her naked eye must have seen?


Again, it's good to see golf's governing bodies try to adjust the rules of the game that new technological advances to address that violation of the spirit of competition. However, not all change is good, and decision 18/4 can actually made an even worse situation than had previously existed around penalties assessed by the use of HD television replays.


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Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and the 10 Biggest Golf Surprises



Every year in golf brings a plethora of surprise winners and losers, and 2013 was no exception. Let's take a look. 


10. Graeme McDowell, PGA Tour First-Time Winner


Despite all his excellent play, his victory at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, his heroic shots at the Ryder Cup in Wales and his new restaurant in Orlando, McDowell had yet to win a regular PGA Tour event.  Last April, he found his way to a PGA Tour trophy ceremony and gained a plaid jacket at the RBC Heritage on Hilton Head Island.


Can the tartan coat at the Crown Plaza Invitational at Colonial be far behind?


9. World Golf Hall of Fame Refuses to Induct Anyone in 2014


After criticism of recent inductees by former inductees, particularly Raymond Floyd, the World Golf Hall of Fame decided to delay induction of the next class and re-evaluate the criteria for selection.  That shouldn't affect the LGPA, however, as they have a point system based on victories, and it actually seems unnecessarily tough.


From the LPGA website:



LPGA Tour Hall of Fame, members of the LPGA Tour, who were active in 1998 and going forward, must meet the criteria outlined below. Entrance to the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame is limited to LPGA Tour members who meet the following criteria:


1. Must be/have been an "active" LPGA Tour member for 10 years:
2. Must have won/been awarded at least one of the following - an LPGA major championship, the Vare Trophy or Rolex Player of the Year honors; and
3. Must have accumulated a total of 27 points, which are awarded as follows - one point for each LPGA official tournament win, two points for each LPGA major tournament win and one point for each Vare Trophy or Rolex Player of the Year honor earned.


8. The New PGA Tour Schedule


After much debate, it's working.


Some players, like former U.S. Open champ Webb Simpson, took advantage of the early-season tournaments to rack up 2014 FedEx points the better to rest later on in 2014.


Recently announced is the change for 2015 to move the McGladrey Classic to an earlier fall date.  That will be followed by PGA Tour-sponsored Asian events.  The move may strengthen participation in the domestic fall events.


In addition to two-year exemptions, fall winners get full FedEx Cup points and Masters and, likely, Players invitations.


7. Inbee Park

Scott Halleran/Getty Images Inbee Park won three majors in 2013. That's Tiger Woods and Ben Hogan territory.

Another of South Korea's star LGPA players, Park won three LPGA majors in 2013 and got almost no coverage for it.  In case you forgot or weren't paying attention, they were the Kraft Nabisco Championship, LPGA Championship and the U.S. Women's Open.


Who was the last professional golfer to win three majors in a season?  Tiger Woods.  Before that?  Ben Hogan.  That's how well she played. 


6. Rory McIlroy


Never has so much hype turned into so much fizzle.  After winning two majors, a U.S. Open and a PGA Championship, McIlroy found romance and a new club deal, changed management companies twice and lost direction on the golf course.


If he weren't rich and famous, you could almost feel sorry for him.


Recently, McIlroy modified his driver and golf ball, changing to the VR_S Covert 2.0 Tour driver and RZN prototype ball, and he used those to beat Tiger Woods in an exhibition match in China.


“I would like to play all my tournaments in China where I can beat Tiger,”  McIlroy said about their challenge match.


5. Justin Rose


The fan favorites at the beginning of U.S. Open week were Tiger and Phil.  Very few can say they picked Justin Rose to win it.


When he surprised, Rose became the third European to win the tournament since Tony Jacklin in 1970.


Rose quipped, "(Lee)Trevino says, 'Fell in love with a girl named Merion, just didn't know her last name.'  I've been sort of joking about that all week."


Historically, the U.S. Open has almost always been won by players from the U.S., with the occasional South African jumping in the winner's circle.  With Rose's victory, eight non-U.S. players have won the title since 2000.  They are: Retief Goosen (twice), Michael Campbell, Geoff Ogilvy, Angel Cabrera, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and now Rose.


4. Adam Scott and Augusta National


The Masters has often been called a putting contest because the greens are large and undulating to the point that they instill fear in the hands of those wielding the club.


The idea that someone would win, not just with a long putter, but with a broomstick putter, seemed out of the question.


That's why Adam Scott's victory at The Masters ranks so high on the surprise scale.  Coming nine months after the near-miss at the British Open, where he was ahead with four holes to go and could not finish it off, the Masters was an amazing and unexpected victory for him.


3. Phil Mickelson


No one, including Phil Mickelson, thought he could win a British Open, at least not until the last six or so years.


He hit the ball too high.  He couldn't keep it under the tricky, links winds.  The greens were too slow.  And his putter had become balky.  Never mind the damaged psyche from a sixth loss at the U.S. Open.


Then, when Mickelson won the Scottish Open, it seemed he had peaked a week too soon.  However, Lefty surprised everyone, maybe even himself, when he birdied four of the last six holes at Muirfield to capture the British Open and the third leg of the career grand slam.


2. Henrik Stenson


Stenson was in the 200s in the world rankings, a free fall that started after he won the 2009 Players Championship.  Then, last spring, he reunited with mental coach Torsten Hansson and began one of the most rapid and amazing returns to form that golf has seen in decades.  


Stenson clawed his way up the FedEx points list and won the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup.  Afterward, he announced that his goal was to become the first person to win the FedEx Cup and the Race to Dubai.  It was new history of sorts, formed by the cash grabs at the end of the seasons on the PGA and  European Tours.


Like Babe Ruth calling a home run in advance, Stenson proceeded to take a commanding lead in the final Race to Dubai tournament.  He won the DP World Tour Championship and the Race to Dubai for both titles, setting a new standard for golfers to reach. 


"To get the double double sort of, winning the Tour Championship on both the tours and the total on both tours, that's going to take some beating I guess in the future," Stenson said about his unlikely achievement.


1. Tiger Woods


Woods won five times in 2013, but none of the wins were majors.  With his ability to win and contend, it is the biggest surprise of the year that with five victories, one of them was not a traditional major.   


"So many of you guys here that were saying I could never win again.  Got eight wins since then, so it's been good, and I'm very happy with the progress I've made," Tiger Woods insisted after playing in Turkey.  


He said he's looking forward to next year's major venues, which are Augusta National, Pinehurst No. 2, Royal Liverpool and Valhalla GC.  He's won at three of the four.  


Kathy Bissell is a Golf Writer for Bleacher Report.  Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand or from official interview materials from the USGA, PGA Tour or PGA of America.


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