1. Tiger did not drop in accordance with the rules on Hole #15. Whether he knew that is irrelevant but I think he did not realize it but would have known if he had stopped to think. Tiger 1 Over in Mistakes2. The Masters Committee hurriedly looked at the drop while Tiger was on the 18th. They incorrectly determined that his drop was in "close proximity" to the original place from which he played. Committee 1 Over in Mistakes.
3. The Masters Committee looked again after Tiger had signed his scorecard and explained his drop. The Committee determined Tiger had not followed the rule on drops, acknowledged they were wrong in their original decision, and levied a 2 shot penalty for Tiger. Acknowledgement of mistake leaves the Masters Committee 1 Over in Mistakes.
4. Tiger accepted that decision. No change. Still Tiger 1 Over in Mistakes
5. The Masters Committee addressed the DQ possibility for signing an incorrect scorecard. The Committee, using a High Definition TV rule, decided that they could waive the DQ. The High Def TV rule is not applicable here. The issue is whether or not the Committee is responsible for advising players if they do not follow the rules. If so, then a rules official should be present on ALL shots. They were present with Guan. They were following Guan in person and informed him in person. They were NOT following Tiger in person. They did not communicate with Tiger on the golf course before he signed his score card. Is that their responsibility now? And is the High Def TV rule to be used to undo Committee mistakes? I do not think that is why the rule was added. Masters Committee 2 Over in Mistakes
6. Apparently Tiger will accept a wrong decision by the Committee. If so Tiger will be 2 Over in Mistakes
Total for two days: 4 Over for Mistakes (2 by the Committee, 2 by Tiger).
Correct Decisions:
1. The penalty for slow play for Guan. Masters Committee got this correct.
2. Guan accepted the penalty. 1 Correct for Guan.
Not a good day for the Masters. Not a good day for Tiger.
I watched several broadcasts of commentary on this issue on Saturday. Certain Golf Channel analysts made comment that Tiger knew when he signed his card that he should have disqualified himself. Whether I am a Tiger fan or not doesn't matter in my assessment of this issue. I'm pretty sure Tiger knows the rules as good as anyone else and he knew he signed an incorrect scorecard. I agree with the +4 scoring for this issue. How many times do we play dumb on a mistake or sweep it under the rug. I have always been taught to take responsibility for the good and the bad things I do. As a future teacher, integrity is very important when dealing with a students future in academics. Whether or not we like a particular student or whether or not that student is important to a school or a team, the rules are the rules and as a future educator it will be my job to be consistent.
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