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 wanted to follow the rule, but had not the Net navigational capabilities of our good FRiend theFIRMbss... ;-)
One year in league we had this sandbagger who was capable of shooting in the high thirties for nine BY HIMSELF, but his two-man team "handicap" never seemed to reflect this capability. More than several times, he played in the league playoff by himself and used his team handicap to stomp teams who had players who both had 18 hole handicaps of six.
He also had an annoying 8 or 9 practice swing putting routine.
I finally jumped his sh*t on the ninth green of our round and insulted him to his face and dared him to do something about it.
It didn't cure him, though. He still devils that league with his routine, no doubt. **shrug**
Me too! Imagine my disappointment when this turned out to be a Golf thread...Ugh!
"My issue is that slow play by the pros encourages and justifies "The Double-Bogey Waltz" by weekend players."
Indeed. I call it the "Tiger Effect". Any weekend after he's won a tournament, golf courses are filled with slow, Top-Flite-losing hacks thinking they're Tiger Woods.
Like a hitter constantly stepping out of the batter's box to disturb a pitcher's rhythm? Face it, every sport has such gamesmanship. Rules are there to be taken advantage of.
Doesn't matter what their routine is, everything a cheater does is annoying.
I'm a relatively fast player, slow players jam me up. Crane should learn just as Sergio learned, just hit it.
I watch amateurs in front of me walk 180 yards to inspect the green and walk back before they hit their shot......ridiculous.
Yes, I noted to another poster that dealing with the slow player is part of the game at the professional level.
Like a hitter constantly stepping out of the batter's box to disturb a pitcher's rhythm?
I quit watching baseball, basketball and football in part because of time issues. Baseball has tacked on about an hour to its games over the last 40 years. The last 2 minutes in basketball and football are like watching paint dry.
I'm at the point where I don't want the time-suckers to get at MY favorite sport.
Moe Norman on putting: "Miss 'em quick."
That IS absolutely ridiculous. At my club that would get you a good tongue-lashing by the pro, and a second offense would get you kicked.
Same thing I thought of too. When Gaby was in her prime she was pretty good.
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