Lexi-Gate ruling announced

After all that shambles of a kangaroo court TV ruling robbing Lexi of a major, the USGA and R&A have made some interesting decisions...

The USGA and R&A have issued a new Decision on the Rules of Golf to limit the use of video evidence. The new Decision 34-3/10, effectively immediately, puts in place two standards for the rules committees to limit the use of video. The first standard limits evidence that cannot be reasonably seen by the naked eye. The second relies on reasonable judgement to determine a specific location when applying the rules.

The two governing bodies have also established a working group of LPGA, PGA Tour, European Tour, Ladies European Tour and PGA of America representatives to being a “comprehensive review of broader video issues that arise in televised competitions, including viewer call-ins.”

Examples of the naked eyes standard include when a player unknowingly brushes several grains of sand while taking a backswing. This, of course, happened to Anna Nordqvist last summer at the U.S. Women’s Open during a playoff against Brittany Lang. Nordqvist ultimately lost the championships.

Another example might be if a player struck the ball more than once in the course of a single stroke.

Reasonable judgement is required when players determine a spot, position, line area, distance or other location. This includes replacing a ball that has been marked on the green, a situation that caused considerable angst for Lexi Thompson at the ANA Inspiration.

The committee will be considering the following to establish reasonable judgement: 1) the actions of the player and the context in which they were taken; 2) the player’s explanation 3) information from other who were there; 4) how far off they were in picking the location.

So now you know. Sort of...

Related:

Lexi Thompson Swingin Siren exclusive

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