US PGA and the Rules of Golf

Interesting end to the US PGA with Dustin Johnson incurring a 2-shot penalty for grounding his club in a bunker that was situated in the middle of the crowd.  All the pro's on Twitter - Immelman, Fowler, Poulter - all lamenting the crazy bunkers at Whistling Straits and feeling sorry for Johnson.  I have little sympathy - I was taught 40 years ago that if in doubt, don't ground your club.  Sage advice on a course like Whistling Straits.  The penalty was correct and the pro's should read the rules sheet.

All that being said, Dustin Johnson acted with real class and talked to reporters, something Woods, Daly, Els and others all too often fail to do when things don't go their way.  Hope he comes back and wins a big one next year.

A very cool finish by Kaymer that hopefully won't be lost in all the hubbub. Looking good for the Euro's in the Ryder Cup.

Comments

[PhilB]

Johnson did deal with it well, but he got screwed.
They should never have called him on it.
Pete Dye is crazy. If the bunkers are bunkers it should be possible to identify them when you standing in one.

If that is not practical, then they should be played as waste areas.
He hit from an area outside the ropes that the crowed was standing in when he hit the errant shot.

[PhilB]

Johnson did deal with it well, but he got screwed.
They should never have called him on it.
Pete Dye is crazy. If the bunkers are bunkers, it should be possible to identify them when you are standing in one.

If that is not practical, then they should be played as waste areas.
He hit from an area outside the ropes that the crowd was standing in when he hit the errant shot.

[david axson]

I disagree! In Scotland there are a lot of scrape bunkers and you always play them as a bunker even though they may look nothing like the nicely manicured ones we are used to seeing. Also the rules sheet clearly stated that all sandy areas were bunkers whether inside or outside the ropes - Johnson admitted he never read it. He has no defense!