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If we learned anything this month, it's that breaking a rule in golf can have harsh consequences. Dustin Johnson felt the sting in the bunker at Whistling Straits. And now Jim Furyk won't play this week after oversleeping for his pro-am tee time Wednesday and being declared ineligible to compete at The Barclays.
Furyk, the No. 3 player in FedExCup points, took responsibilities for his actions and only blamed himself for failing to meet his obligations. "The rules are rules," he said.
His fellow competitors were certainly sympathetic upon hearing of Furyk's fate.
"It was a bit of a surprise," said Ernie Els, No. 1 in FedExCup and scheduled to play with Furyk and No. 2 Steve Stricker in the first two rounds this week. "Obviously a bit of a shock ... He paid the ultimate penalty being late to the pro-am."
"It's tough," added Tiger Woods. "It's a new rule. And we don't have to agree with it. But it is our new policy."
In 2004, the PGA TOUR instituted the rule that unless players had a medical excuse for missing a pro-am tee time, they would be declared ineligible for that week's event. In 2006, the rule was amended so that players who had family emergencies would also be allowed to miss the pro-am without penalty.
The rule has come into play a few times, including at the 2008 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard when John Daly missed his Wednesday pro-am tee time. Retief Goosen was ruled ineligible for the 2005 Nissan Open (now Northern Trust Open) when he missed his pro-am tee time.
Slugger White, Vice President of Rules and Competitions for the PGA TOUR, said Furyk handled the ruling in a professional manner.
"A commitment to play in the tournament is a commitment to play in the pro-am," White said. "It is unfortunate for Jim. It is unfortunate for the tournament. He is a fan favorite and everybody likes him. He is a really good guy, but my hands are tied.
Furyk, the No. 3 player in FedExCup points, took responsibilities for his actions and only blamed himself for failing to meet his obligations. "The rules are rules," he said.
His fellow competitors were certainly sympathetic upon hearing of Furyk's fate.
"It was a bit of a surprise," said Ernie Els, No. 1 in FedExCup and scheduled to play with Furyk and No. 2 Steve Stricker in the first two rounds this week. "Obviously a bit of a shock ... He paid the ultimate penalty being late to the pro-am."
"It's tough," added Tiger Woods. "It's a new rule. And we don't have to agree with it. But it is our new policy."
In 2004, the PGA TOUR instituted the rule that unless players had a medical excuse for missing a pro-am tee time, they would be declared ineligible for that week's event. In 2006, the rule was amended so that players who had family emergencies would also be allowed to miss the pro-am without penalty.
The rule has come into play a few times, including at the 2008 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard when John Daly missed his Wednesday pro-am tee time. Retief Goosen was ruled ineligible for the 2005 Nissan Open (now Northern Trust Open) when he missed his pro-am tee time.
Slugger White, Vice President of Rules and Competitions for the PGA TOUR, said Furyk handled the ruling in a professional manner.
"A commitment to play in the tournament is a commitment to play in the pro-am," White said. "It is unfortunate for Jim. It is unfortunate for the tournament. He is a fan favorite and everybody likes him. He is a really good guy, but my hands are tied.
Phil Mickelson said he told PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem that he disagreed with the harshness of the rule because it doesn't apply to everybody in the field. He said only the players who participate in the pro-am must adhere to the rule.
"If you're going to have a rule that does not apply to everybody because not everybody played the pro-am, you cannot have it affect the competition," Mickelson said. "...It applies to only half the field and yet it affects the integrity of the competition."
Els suggested that instead of being declared ineligible to play, perhaps the penalty could involve a reduction in FedExCup points -- especially during the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup.
"If you're going to have a rule that does not apply to everybody because not everybody played the pro-am, you cannot have it affect the competition," Mickelson said. "...It applies to only half the field and yet it affects the integrity of the competition."
Els suggested that instead of being declared ineligible to play, perhaps the penalty could involve a reduction in FedExCup points -- especially during the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup.
"You can have an argument to say, 'OK, these are the Playoffs.' We should have a different set of rules out here, maybe," Els said. "... Now that it's happened, maybe we should re-evaluate the rules for the Playoffs system."
But for now, the bottom line is that Furyk is out this week.
But for now, the bottom line is that Furyk is out this week.
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