Standard line of sight. Not cheating.
Yes, that's what I said.
Standard line of sight. Not cheating.
Surely there must have been some sort of shot? Or does that rule not apply to this situation?There was an incident yesterday at the WGC, it was Reed funnily enough. I think it was the first or second hole that he drove into a bush but there was an aerial about 4 feet high between his ball and the flag. Straight away he said that he aerial was in his way so he got a free drop in the clear, pitched on the green and had a birdie putt.
My issue is that he didn't even try to swing, I doubt whether he could have taken a stance in the bush, let alone take a swing. How about a rule where if the player says he would hit the man-made obstacle then let him go ahead, if he does hit it then discount the stroke and give a free drop. Reed didn't cheat, he used the rules to his advantage, but maybe the rules need tweaking, just a thought.
The ball hitting it in flight, or the club hitting it during a swing?How about a rule where if the player says he would hit the man-made obstacle then let him go ahead, if he does hit it then discount the stroke and give a free drop.
The ball hitting it in flight, or the club hitting it during a swing?
I was thinking of the ball hitting it, as in Reed's case the obstacle was about 5 yards in front of him.
The idea of calling the players bluff and asking them to try the shot is slightly tongue-in-cheek though as it won't happen, but it does amuse me how they get a free drop from some very dodgy places - I know it's all within the rules and they are entitled to do it!
THE HATERS ARE GONNA HATE!
??????????️
Someone shouted mashed potatoes.How did the crowd react?
Would be nice to see Rory convert a few more top 5s in to wins.I don't like him but you have to respect his ability, especially with all of the furore around the Kostis comments surrounding him. Personally I'd have preferred someone else to have won but the best player triumphed
Now got beef with radar
To be fair to Radar, he only gently pushed those buttons in his questions, and he'd be criticised by fans if he didn't try to push a little. After all, they are topical. But, I think he was generally respectful, and actually gave Reed the chance to provide answers that, in a way address how he has dealt with the criticism. I think McGinley in commentary was a little more persistent in keeping the issue of cheating highlighted all week. Every time footage shows a Reed shot, McGinley seemed to make some comment about the accusations following Reed.Radar wanted to push buttons.
Radar has turned into a bit of a tit these days, used to be a breath of fresh air, now he's full of his own felf importance. Great win for Reed and Radar wants to rehash cr,ap that has followed Reed all week. Give the guy a break and congratulate his play and concentrate on his play.
Can't comment specifically on that, but presumably the referee got involved so it was on his shoulders. If it was very possible he was lying, I'm pretty sure the referee can still make a subjective decision as to whether he gets relief or not (i.e. make judgement like the commentators). I've seen many players before try and get relied (e.g. McIlroy and Kuchar spring to mind), and the referee has not allowed it. So, I wouldn't criticise Reed for this. If he managed to argue his case, and the referee went along with it, that is on the referee's shoulders. After all, all players will try and get a ruling if they think it will work out in their favour.Didn't see the end last night and obviously a pretty impressive finish from Reed when the tournament was on the line.
One thing I haven't seen much mentioned about was an incident on Saturday at the 1st hole.
Reed had hit his shot left, not miles from the green, but in trouble. Riley said on commentary that it was in a bush and he had no shot.
Then he managed to get a ruling on line of sight due to a mast next to the bush. He dropped it to the side of the bush with a reasonably clear shot onto the green. Made 4.
The ruling must have been that Reed claimed he would otherwise have played the shot from the bush and so got free relief. If he claimed he couldn't play the shot, then he would 1st have taken relief under penalty (2 club lengths, back between you and the hole or back to the tee etc.). Then potentially a further (free drop) for line of sight.
Riley seemed to suggest that this was very fortuitous but had initially claimed he had no shot. Beemer and Murray were very careful with what they said as they will both have known Reed would have had to tell the rules official he would have played a shot out of the bush if the mast hadn't been there.
I saw Westwood at Portrush last year, being in a gorse down the right hand side of a hole. He was effectively in an animal burrow and the rules official asked him the question that if the ball wasn't in the rabbit scrapings, would he have played it. In reality he probably could have gotten a club on it, but Westy straight away said... no I wouldn't play it from down there. So takes a penalty drop back a few paces.
Just a guess as the camera's didn't show exactly where Reed's ball was... but my opinion (from Riley and the commentator's reaction) is he wouldn't have risked playing that shot and effectively lied to get a free drop.