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June 2013 Table of Contents

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

No conversation before Woods signed scorecard is "missing element"

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 16:59:00 GMT

By Sam Weinman

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- A conversation that never happened could be the biggest factor in the controversy surrounding Tiger Woods Saturday morning at Augusta National.

In a statement, Augusta National said it was alerted to a potential infraction on Tiger Woods' 15th hole by a caller, and that it reviewed the video of the drop while Woods was finishing up his second round. At that point, the club determined the drop, which was required after Woods' third shot landed in the water, was close enough to the original spot and Woods "complied with the Rules."

It was only after Woods' interview with ESPN's Tom Rinaldi, in which he acknowledged he was trying to drop two yards behind the original spot that the player's intent was clear, and the club was forced to assess a penalty. According to former USGA executive director David Fay, it shouldn't have reached that point.

"In any situation where there's a question about a ruling, a conversation takes place with the player before he signs his card," Fay said. "You bring the player in and say, 'We got a few calls, walk us through what happened.' Whether that conversation took place is the missing element."

In a follow-up conversation, Augusta National spokesmen said no such conversation took place, saying the sheer volume of questionable incidents makes such exchanges impractical. Woods' confirmed as much in a statement on Twitter in which he said he wasn't aware of his potential infraction when he signed his scorecard.

But even when Woods gave his interview, a conflict wasn't immediately apparent. The club said it wasn't alerted to an issue until a caller pointed out Woods' comments to Rinaldi until shortly after 10 p.m., three hours after the interview took place. The club wouldn't identify who the caller was.

Tiger Woods DQ is unavoidable, former USGA chief says

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 13:25:00 GMT

By Sam Weinman

Editor's Note: This post was updated to reflect Woods was assessed a two-stroke penalty instead of being disqualified.

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Tiger Woods was not disqualified from the Masters because of his drop on the 15th hole Friday, and will instead be assessed a two-stroke penalty. But according to former USGA executive director David Fay, there was limited room for interpretation.

"Based on the way the rules are written I don't see how he's anything other than a spectator today," Fay said.

When informed the club had issued Woods a reprieve, allowing him to tee off at 1:45 p.m. at one under par, Fay altered his stance. "Apparently I was wrong," he said. "I look forward to being his spectator today."

In question was whether Woods' drop was, as the Rules of Golf dictates, "as near as possible" to the spot from which the original ball was last played. In an interview following his round, Woods acknowledged he dropped two yards back from his original spot because he wanted a better yardage. By that measure, Woods was in violation of Rule 26-1 and should have been assessed a one-stroke penalty. But since he didn't add that penalty to his scorecard, he signed for an incorrect score and would thus have to be disqualified.

"Six feet is not as near as possible, especially since he knew where the original spot was because of the divot," Fay said.

And even if Woods were confused by the rule, and didn't particularly benefit from the improved drop, Fay said Augusta National has little choice. "You have to operate with the rules you have, not the rules you want."

Update: The Masters Tournament Committee cited Rule 33-7/1 in only giving Woods a two-stroke penalty, saying it reviewed a potential infraction while Woods was playing the 18th hole Friday and deemed he had complied with the rules. It was only after Woods' TV interview that they opted to revisit the incident.

"The penalty of disqualification was waived by the Committee under Rule 33 as the Committee had previously reviewed the information and made its initial determination prior to the finish of the player's round."

David Fay: Fun At The Summit... Still

David Fay — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

If distance hasn't been maxed out, it will be felt first at Augusta.

A Measure Of Greatness

David Fay — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

You need three of golf's Grand Slams to be "great".

May 2013 Table of Contents

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Bifurcation? Sí!

David Fay — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 05:00:00 GMT

As golf's ruling bodies continue to study distance off the tee from a regulatory standpoint, the question of whether golf should employ two sets of rules, one for amateurs and one for professionals, is central. In his return to Golf Digest as a monthly columnist, former USGA Executive Director David Fay argues "yes."

David Fay, Laura Davies win GWAA honors

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 14:40:00 GMT

Former USGA executive director David Fay, LPGA star Laura Davies and three-time National Blind Golf Championship winner David Meador have been honored with three of the top awards given by the Golf Writers Association of America.

Fay (left), who guided the U.S. Golf Association for 21 years and was the driving force behind bringing the U.S. Open to two of the nation's top public courses, was honored with the William D. Richardson Award, given annually to recognize individuals who have consistently made an outstanding contribution to golf.

Meador, who lost his sight in a car accident at age 18, won the Ben Hogan Award for remaining active in golf despite a physical handicap or serious illness. Davies, one of the most outspoken, fun-loving and entertaining players in women's golf, was honored with the ASAPSports/Jim Murray Award, which recognizes a golfer for cooperation, quotability and accommodation with the media.

They will be honored, along with GWAA Players of the Year Rory McIlroy, Stacy Lewis and Roger Chapman at the Annual GWAA Awards Dinner, April 10 in Augusta, Ga.

(Photo by Getty Images)

David Fay: Tiger's Bonehead Move

David Fay — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 04:00:00 GMT

In a year of major collapses, revisiting what could have been Tiger Woods' most regrettable decision

Q&A: Herb Kohler on trying to buy near Bandon, Hamilton Grand and his latest victory.

Matt Ginella — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 22:09:00 GMT

The last time I did a formal Q&A with Herb Kohler, the prince of porcelain and owner of 90 holes of golf, was in 2008. He told me about saving dogs, landing planes and taking...