Posted on 06/14/2005 6:23:58 AM PDT by an amused spectator
PINEHURST, N.C., June 13 - A day after ditching his playing partner and finishing the 17th hole of the Booz Allen Classic out of turn, Rory Sabbatini apologized for an incident that incited boos from the gallery and a tongue-lashing from the television booth.
On Sunday, Sabbatini, a player known for his fast pace of play, left Ben Crane, one of the Tour's slowest players, alone on the penultimate hole, choosing instead to stand behind the green while Crane was lining up his shot from the fairway. Earlier in the round, the pair had been put on the clock, meaning they were behind the accepted tournament pace of play.
At the par-4 No. 17, however, Sabbatini and Crane were not on the clock, but Sabbatini left Crane anyway, chipping onto the green and putting out of turn. When the round was complete, Sabbatini could be seen walking ahead of Crane, turning to speak to him, and dashing off...
...According to PGA Tour rules, a player put on the clock once during a round receives a warning. If it happens again during the round, the player receives a one-shot penalty and a $5,000 fine. On the third offense, he receives a two-shot penalty and a $10,000 fine; the fourth offense brings disqualification. Anyone placed on the clock 10 times during a season receives a $20,000 fine.
Crane is not in the field this week for the United States Open at Pinehurst No. 2.
During the ABC telecast Sunday, the broadcaster Paul Azinger, who is also a player on the Tour, called Sabbatini rude and said he had never seen a player disrespect another player in that way.
Crane admitted his tendency for slow play.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
I lost a lot of respect for the Zinger when I read about his comments.
comments-soliciting ping
Play or get out of the way.
Peck. Peck. Look around. Peck. Quack. Peck. Peck.
Repeat.
"According to PGA Tour rules, a player put on the clock once during a round receives a warning. If it happens again during the round, the player receives a one-shot penalty and a $5,000 fine. On the third offense, he receives a two-shot penalty and a $10,000 fine; the fourth offense brings disqualification. Anyone placed on the clock 10 times during a season receives a $20,000 fine."
So...if a 2nd violation of slow play would've occurred on Sunday, would BOTH Crane and Sabbatini been penalized or just the offending player? If the answer is 'Both', then I see why Sabbatini did what he did, although I don't condone it.
Many people should remember that golf is a profession for these guys and not just a way to entertain us spectators.
"Did you see the small snippet of video showing Crane's pre-shot routine? He looked like a duck on a pile of corn."
Agreed. I was getting mad just watching his slow a$$!!! "HIT THE DAMN BALL, BEN!!"
My issue is that slow play by the pros encourages and justifies "The Double-Bogey Waltz" by weekend players.
Darn, for a second there I thought Gabriela Sabbatini came out of retirement.
His American wife is no slouch, either, apparently:
Titleist ends its deal with Casey in wake of anti-American comments
I hardly play at the level these guys do, but I do play fast (my pro says probably too fast, but that's another issue). I cannot play well when I am playing with or behind slow players. I just know any shot I hit after having to wait is going to be a bad shot, and, sure enough, it usually is. So, I can sympathize to some extent with Rory, though I don't condone his apparent rudeness.
It is my experience that a slow player can control a faster player and mess with his/her game, but the converse is rarely true.
I've never seen a crowd get on a player that way, but I can tell you Sabbatini deserved it. And after Crane sunk a 50 footer on 18, he was really steaming mad. Hilarious!
I didn't see the whole thing, regretfully, which is why I was soliciting the excellent commentary here on FR. Some of the stuff reported doesn't add up, and I suspect that your version is closest to the truth of the entire matter. I know that Sabbatini has a reputation as a hothead, and I've seen guys get angry over the previous shot or hole.
Faldo put it best during the telecast: Allowing yourself to become angry due to a slow player is a choice. You can choose to be upset and act boorish, or you can choose to stay calm.
Well, yes and no. I've seen players control the golf games of other players with deliberately slow play. I consider it extreme poor sportsmanship, and a very sneaky way of taking advantage of the rules. They showed this guy Crane's pre-shot routine, and it was HIDEOUS!!!
LOL! That'll burn your bacon! :-)
No question that I've had awful rounds because of slow play in front of me, so to a certain extent I can identify with Sabbatini.
The funny thing was, after he played out of turn on 17 he walked up to the 18th tee and the pairing in front were still on the green. So he stood around anyway...
I think I heard that the Zinger was a fast player, so I'm relieved about this.
Do you think Sabbatini would have done this without the tv cameras around? Absolutley not. Petty in my opinion.
I suspect you're right.
I would have, though. ;-)
At the professional level, you MUST be able to resist the scourge of the slow player, because it's part of the job.
At our level, the powers that be need to do something to speed play up. The clubs could put through half again as many golfers if they sped play up, AND they could reduce the price of a round.
Oh no doubt about it. I have been a dick before. LOL
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.