PLAYING IN THE qualifying rounds for the matchplay stage of the US Junior Amateur at Gold Mountain GC, Washington yesterday, 17-year-old Connor Klein’s tee-shot on the par-3 fifth hole found the bottom of the cup.
The celebrations were short-lived, however, as Klein and his playing partners found out they were to be assessed a one-shot penalty for slow play on the same hole.
Golfweek’s Ryan Lavner has the full story, including this uber-frustrating “rules is rules” quote from the USGA’s David Staebler:
“Poor play is not held against the group… It’s what else that player is doing. Are they making an effort to play promptly? And after receiving a warning, is it apparent to the rules committee that that player is doing anything different from before to get his group back in position?“Unfortunately, we can’t change our policy because someone made a 1. I wish it could have come on a different hole for him.”
The group appealed the ruling after the round, but while his playing partners had their penalties lifted, Klein was told his would have to remain in place.
Caddie Robb Hoover summed it up nicely:
“What are the chances of that happening? Millions-to-1, probably.”
