PGA reacting to fallout from Furyk getting DQ'd for missing his pro-am tee time:
http://www.golfweek.com/news/2010/aug/31/pga-tour-suspends-pro-am-disqualification-rule/
Thoughts?
I agree with the suspension of the rule for Pro-Ams through the end of the season when it can be reviewed. Unfortunately, this rule was not to prevent someone like Furyk, who did make every attempt to get to the tee time after missing an alarm.
I believe the intent of the rule, originally, was to prevent "no shows" at the last minute to Pro Am events. In the past, as noted in the article, players would not show up for these events where amateurs and businessmen/sponsors pay large sums of money as a tip off to these tournaments. This tone was not acceptable so the PGA changed the rule whereas extremely harsh punishment was levied for missing a Pro Am. Only now that a highly visible pro, during a very good year, missed an event by accident, did the tour decide that this rule may need to be revisited. Good job Tour for suspending the rule, even better job Mr. Furyk for maintaining your cool, keeping quiet and letting things play out.
I feel it is a good decision to change this rule even though it shows the sponsors their involvement is important. Should be interesting to see what the new penalties will be. Miss the Pro-Am, take them out to dinner? I just hope the guys won't take advantage of the new rule as Pros don't seem to look forward to Wednesdays and the sponsors depend on it so much.
And a good move on their part. Unfortunately, too late for Furyk this time. Some of the rules the PGA and USGA have come up with are not, in my humble opinion, in the best interests of the game.
Truthfully, I am glad they changed the rule. I also liked the idea the GC was kicking around last night. (If a Tour player misses the Pro-Am they must play in a smaller purse tournament to help attract more attention to that field.)
"Cause and Effect" needs to be in place to make sure this stays at a minimum.
I saw this move coming. It was a bogus rule anyways.
NOTE: Once the players use their 2 opt outs, they can now sleep through the other pro-am's and avoid them completely! NICE!
I guess the only problem i have with this rule is:
why would you even have a pro-am for the play off events?
aren't these events suppose to mean something, similar to a major.
My opinion, no pro-am for the Playoff series.
stepheng: I guess the only problem i have with this rule is: why would you even have a pro-am for the play off events? aren't these events suppose to mean something, similar to a major. My opinion, no pro-am for the Playoff series.
I AM AFRAID WE ARE AT THE PRIME REASON FOR ALL OF THIS . $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$, SPONSERS, $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Let’s put it this way...
If you could afford to play in a pro am dishing out between 5-10k, and your pro no showed. Would you not be a little po'd. I know I would...
This is a job for these guys and that is part of the job unfortunately.
It's a pretty ridiculous and somewhat lucrative rule.