Rule of the Week - Rule 3-3/2

3-3/2 Second Ball Played Despite Adverse Ruling

Q:In stroke play, a competitor believes he is entitled to relief under a Rule, but a member of the Committee disagrees. In spite of the ruling by the Committee member, the competitor invokes Rule 3-3 and opts to score with the second ball. He plays his original ball as it lies and the second ball under the Rule he believes is applicable.

May a competitor invoke Rule 3-3 in such circumstances?

A:The answer depends upon whether or not the Committee has given authority to make final decisions to its individual members.

If the Committee member concerned has not been given authority to make final decisions, the competitor is entitled to invoke Rule 3-3.

If, on the other hand, the Committee member has been given authority to make final decisions, he may, despite his own view that the competitor is not entitled to relief, permit the competitor to invoke Rule 3-3. However, if the Committee member exercises his authority and gives the competitor a final decision that he is not entitled to the relief he claims, there is then no justification for the competitor invoking Rule 3-3, and he will incur a penalty of two strokes for undue delay (Rule 6-7) if he, nevertheless, goes ahead and invokes Rule 3-3. The score with his original ball, including this two-stroke penalty, must count.

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Ireland Make Winning Start

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Ireland made a winning start in the defence of their Boys Home Internationals title when they defeated Wales 4-1 in the morning foursomes at Western Gailes Golf Club in Ayrshire, Scotland.

This year’s Junior Open champion Kevin LeBlanc, playing alongside Kerry’s James O’Driscoll in the top match, enjoyed a resounding 7 and 6 win over Jack Davidson and Thomas Williams.

The Irish pair raced into a five-up lead by the time they reached the turn at the immaculate links venue. From there they never looked back and eventually closed out the match on the 12th green.

Eoin Leonard and Cathal Butler put another point on the board for Ireland with their 3 and 2 win over Lewys Sanges and Joshua Davies in the third match. Shortly afterwards the experienced pair of James Sugrue and Rowan Lester, both members of Roy Archibalds’s winning side from Forest Pines last year, defeated Ben Chamberlain and David Ramsay by one hole.

In the bottom match Thomas Mulligan and Owen Crooks had a tight encounter with Tim Harry and Kyle Harman before they secured Ireland’s fourth point of the session by one hole.

It was Gaelen Trew and Thomas Froom who ensured Ireland didn’t have it all their own way when the Welsh pair defeated Conor Purcell and Jamie Fletcher 3 and 2.

It was a much tighter affair in the second foursomes tie where Marco Penge and Harry Hall came through with the decisive point to give England a narrow 3-2 win over Scotland. The English pair defeated Calum Fyfe and Niall McMullen 2 and 1.

The strong pairing of Ewen Ferguson and Murray Naysmith gave Scotland an early point after their 5 and 4 win over Haydn McMullen and Jamie Dick in the top match.

The second tie went to the final green before Bradley Moore and Jonathan Thomson got the better of Robert MacIntyre and Ben Kinsley by 1 hole. 

Adam Fisher and Stuart Easton were comprehensive 6 and 4 winners against England’s Jack Singh Brar and Jamie Li, while Ashton Turner and Jake Storey levelled proceedings with their 4 and 3 win over George Burns and Ryan Lumsden in the bottom match.

However, it was Derek Hughes’ side who will enjoy lunch better after Penge and Hall came through with the wining point.

Today’s opening matches move onto the ten afternoon singles ties to decide the first day’s play in the overall round robin format played over three days.

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Ireland Defend Home International Trophy

Ireland will seek to defend the Boys Home Internationals trophy in the face of stiff competition at Western Gailes this week. 

The Irish won in dramatic fashion at Forest Pines last year as Scotland failed to beat England in their final match with the result coming down to the last few singles matches. 

England will be looking to win their third title in four years at the Ayrshire links from Tuesday 5 to Thursday 7 August while Scotland will be looking for their first win since 2006 at Moray and Wales will be hoping to achieve their first victory in the round robin series of matches. 

Captain Roy Archibald’s line-up will feature only two members of the victorious 2013 team in Lincolnshire: Rowan Lester, who represented Ireland in the European Boys Team Championship in Oslo last month, and James Sugrue, who won the Munster Youths Amateur Open Championship in April. Kevin Leblanc will be expected to play a key role for the Irish after winning The R&A’s Junior Open Championship at West Lancs last month. 

The English team will be led by Ashton Turner, who will make his third consecutive appearance in the Boys Home Internationals, Bradley Moore, who won the Irish Boys Amateur Open Championship in June, and Marco Penge, who finished tied fourth with Matty Lamb in the recent McGregor Trophy. 

The 2013 Boys Amateur Champion Ewen Ferguson, who recently added the Scottish Boys Open Stroke Play title to his Scottish Boys Match Play crown, will lead a strong Scottish team that also includes Scottish Boys Stroke Play runner-up Ben Kinsley and Robert MacIntyre, who last year became the first player to win the Scottish boys and youths stroke play titles in the same year. 

Newly crowned Welsh Boys Match Play Champion Ben Chamberlain will be in confident mood for the matches as will his team mate Thomas Williams, who will be looking to build on the form which saw him reach the semi-finals at Wenvoe Castle. 

Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Executive Director – Championships at The R&A, said, “The Boys Home Internationals matches give the talented young players the opportunity to gain valuable experience of representing their countries and playing against their peers from the other Home Nations. We would encourage spectators to come along to support the event at Western Gailes this week where the matches should be as closely contested as ever.” 

The teams are as follows: 

Ireland: Cathal Butler (Kinsale), Owen Crooks (Bushfoot), Jamie Fletcher (Warrenpoint), Peter Kerr (Royal Portrush), Kevin Leblanc (The Island), Eoin Leonard (Wentworth), Rowan Lester (Hermitage), Thomas Mulligan (Laytown & Bettystown), Tommy O’Driscoll (Ring of Kerry), Conor Purcell (Portmarnock) and James Sugrue (Mallow). 

England: Jamie Dick (Forest Hills), Harry Hall (West Cornwall), Matty Lamb (Hexham), Jamie Li (Bath), Haydn McCullen (Delamere Forest), Bradley Moore (Kedleston Park), Marco Penge (Golf at Goodwood), Jack Singh Brar (Remedy Oak), Jake Storey (Alnmouth), Jonathan Thomson (Lindrick) and Ashton Turner (Kenwick Park). 

Scotland: Joseph Bryce (Bathgate), George Burns (Williamwood), Stuart Easton (Irvine), Ewen Ferguson (Bearsden), Adam Fisher (Newmachar), Calum Fyfe (Cawder), Ben Kinsley (St Andrews), Ryan Lumsden (Royal Wimbledon), Robert MacIntyre (Glencruitten), Niall McMullen (Lundin) and Murray Naysmith (Marriott Dalmahoy). 

Wales: Jack Davidson (Llanwern), Joshua Davies (Celtic Manor), Tim Harry (Vale Resort), Kyle Harman (Radyr), David Ramsay (Mold), Thomas Williams (Wrexham), Ben Chamberlain (Padeswood & Buckley), Lewys Sanges (Celtic Manor), Gaelen Trew (Wentworth), Rhys Jones (Mountain Ash) and Thomas Froom (Nefyn). 

The Boys Home Internationals has been a proving ground for dozens of Walker Cup players and future Major Championship winners including Open Champion Rory McIlroy, the 2013 US Open Champion Justin Rose, six-time Major winner Sir Nick Faldo, former Open and Masters Champion Sandy Lyle and former Open Champion Darren Clarke. 

Spectators are admitted free of charge to the event, which runs from Tuesday to Thursday, 5-7 August. The playing format is a full round robin series of matches comprising five morning foursomes and ten afternoon singles matches. The morning foursomes tee off from 8am and the afternoon singles matches from 12.30pm each day. 

Match one on Tuesday 5 August will be Ireland versus Wales and match two will be England versus Scotland.

R&A Play Down Portrush Reports

The Royal and Ancient says it remains "some distance" from being able to stage the Open Championship in Northern Ireland for the first time since 1951.

Speculation that the Open may return to Royal Portrush has been circulating for some time, with reports claiming a deal had been done for 2019.

However the R&A's response on Twitter labelled these as "Portrush rumours".

"Discussions have been positive but we are still some distance from being able to take the Open to Northern Ireland."

Max Faulkner won the only Open to be staged outside England and Scotland at Royal Portrush 63 years ago.

A statement released by the R&A on Sunday confirmed that discussions were under way, but added that there was a long way to go before the plans may come to fruition.

"As part of our commitment to examine the feasibility of staging an Open Championship at Portrush, the R&A continues to discuss this at a conceptual level with Royal Portrush Golf Club and the Northern Ireland Executive."

The R&A denied reports last summer that the Open was set to be held at Portrush in 2018.

R&A chief executive Peter Dawson admitted that while it is "a fantastic golf course," concerns remain over the infrastructure required to stage a major and he believes the current nine-course Open rota is "about right".

Despite the R&A's statement on Sunday, Northern Ireland's Tourism Minister Arlene Foster said that the success of this weekend's Giro d'Italia showed the province's ability to stage major sporting events.

"If they are looking on this week and they are seeing the way the entire community has taken to the Giro d'Italia," she added.

"Obviously if the R&A does make a decision to put Royal Portrush on the rota it will be a tremendous thing for Northern Ireland and a very positive sign we are moving confidently on and I think we want to send that message out."

The 2012 Irish Open at Portrush drew massive crowds and the likes of major champions Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell have been lobbying on the club's behalf.

It has also been suggested that the R&A would hasten its decision after Portrush emerged as a surprise contender to stage the US PGA Championship.

The PGA of America is studying the impact of holding the event outside the United States, with the earliest possible date in 2020.

It had been thought that Asia would be the most likely venue, but PGA of America president Ted Bishop said in November last year that he was interested in Portrush.

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Ireland Crowned 2013 Boy Home Internationals champions

Ireland were crowned 2013 Boy Home Internationals champions after Roy Archibald’s side came through a dramatic afternoon at Forest Pines where they defeated Wales and Scotland were unable to overcome England in the final session of matches.

In one of the tightest contests in recent years, the outcome remained in the balance until the final singles matches. That didn’t help Archibald’s nerves as he had an agonising wait after his side won 9.5-5.5 to see if Scotland would derail their title hopes.

After Ireland’s win over Wales, Barrie Douglas’ side had to defeat England to lift The R&A Trophy for the first time since they won on home soil at Moray in 2006.

It wasn’t to be and England did Ireland the service of winning 8.5-6.5 to ensure a first Irish win since Southerness in 2010. Derek Hughes’ England side were the defending champions this week and aiming for three wins in a row at the Lincolnshire venue.

“I’m absolutely elated, that’s the only way I can describe my feelings just now,” beamed Archibald. “First of all it was tense watching my team get the job done against Wales. To then have to wait and see if England could get the necessary result for us to win was even more nerve-wracking. But we got there and I’m delighted. They’re a great bunch of lads. It was a great team effort.”

After taking a 3-2 lead into the singles, Ireland will look back on the top order securing three halved matches when it looked conceivable they might have lost them all. “They were crucial halves to get us over the line,” added the Irish captain in reference to Robin Dawson (Pictured Left), James Sugrue and Paul McBride.

Dawson ended the week undefeated and the top Irish points scorer, claiming 5.5 points from a possible six, the same as Scotland left-hander Robert MacIntyre and his countryman Euan Walker. When the final tally was done, England’s Ben Amor was the only player to finish with a 100 per cent record, six wins from six.

For his part, Wales captain Leighton Smith was proud of the way his side competed despite losing all three matches.

“It was a much better performance today. I’d rather leave the tournament on a positive. Even though we lost I know we are going in the right direction,” reflected the Wales captain.

“We certainly scared the Irish for a while. It just goes to show we can do it once you get that belief within the team. They are good players, it’s just bringing the best out of them, that’s the hard bit, but we’ll crack it one day. They are a young side and many of them will learn from this to come back stronger next year”

While Scotland put in a brave effort they came up just short and their captain was left to rue what might have been.

“The standard of golf was really good from both sides,” said Douglas. “Our top man Connor Syme (Pictured Right) was six under after six holes and only two up. He had two eagles and two birdies to beat one of England’s top players in Ashton Turner 5&4.

“Ewen Ferguson and Benjamin Kinsley were both leading late on but only halved their respective matches against Macro Penge and Harry Ellis. For a time it was still in the melting pot but unfortunately we came up short.”

“I am very proud of the effort my team put in this week. There has been a great team spirit. We just have that niggle of what might have been.”

In any case, the decisive singles match to ensure Ireland’s victory came when Jake Storey defeated Alan Waugh 2&1. That gave Hughes’ side an unassailable lead but the overall England effort also came up short.

“It’s always a tough battle against Scotland; we enjoy the rivalry,” said Hughes after today’s win over Scotland. “We’ll review the week and look to build on it. There are no real negatives, the boys tried their best.

“Ireland played well and deserved to win. Congratulations to Roy and his team.” added Hughes.

The 2014 Boys Home Internationals moves to Scotland and will take place at Western Gailes from 5 to 7 August.

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Dawson Expects Slower Friday Greens

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Royal & Ancient chief executive Peter Dawson does not expect the greens at Muirfield to be as fast on the second day after a number of players complained following their first rounds.

Scoring was high on the firm and fast links as windy and sunny conditions dried out the putting surfaces, which some of the afternoon starters likened to glass.

England's Ian Poulter was the most critical, writing on Twitter: "8th hole is a joke, 18th needs a windmill & clown face."

However, slightly damper conditions - in addition to the greens being hand-watered last night - mean the R&A are hopeful it will help to lessen some of the difficulties.

"We have had a lot of mist and dew overnight," Dawson told Press Association Sport.

"As the day went on yesterday the greens speeded up more than we expected because the temperature was higher than forecast.

"This morning is much damper. The greens are stimping (the measurement of the pace) just under what they were yesterday but don't expect them to get as quick."

The R&A's position on watering has been to do just enough to keep the grass alive as they do not want to significantly alter conditions.

On how much water had been put on last night Dawson added: "A bit more, generally attacking the brown areas.

"There is no question of the greens dying. The roots are healthy.

"It was a great day yesterday for links course management.

"You had to hit the fairway to control your second shot and keep it below the hole."

There was not much evidence of improved scoring from the early starters with just three birdies from the 15 players out on the course in the first hour.

Korea's YE Yang and America's Johnson Wagner both birdied the second, which did more for the latter in getting him to one over as opposed to his partner who was seven over.

The third birdie went to Australian Marcus Fraser who holed from 15 feet on the second.

Former Open champion Mark O'Meara, joint second overnight on four under, was out at 7.05am with Fraser and began with two pars.

Fellow veteran Tom Lehman, just a shot and a group behind, also played the first in regulation.

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R&A to Examine Male Only Issue - Dawson

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The chairman of the Royal & Ancient does not believe male-only clubs damage the image of the sport.

On the eve of the Open at Muirfield, Peter Dawson says the R&A will examine the issue after the tournament has finished and admits the organisation is finding it "difficult" to deal with.

Rory McIlroy expressed his dissatisfaction over the membership policy at the club, while Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond is among the political figures who won't attend the event, describing the rules as "indefensible in the 21st century".

At Wednesday's news conference, a day before the start of the championship, Dawson faced questions about membership at Muirfield and two other clubs in the tournament rotation, Troon and Royal St George's.

Dawson said: "In our view they don't do anyone any harm and we think the right of freedom of association is important. And we've explained our view that we think they have no material adverse effect on participation.

"On the other hand, the media are, with seemingly boundless energy, I think, and enthusiasm, giving out the message that this is an issue and that such clubs should be condemned to extinction, and we shouldn't be using one to stage The Open Championship. And we understand that view, too.

"We've got politicians posturing, we've got interest groups attacking the R&A, attacking The Open and attacking Muirfield. To be honest, our natural reaction is to resist these pressures, because we actually don't think they have very much substance.

"But I'd like to stress we're not so insular as to fail to recognise the potential damage that campaigns like this can do to The Open Championship.

"And it is our Championship Committee's responsibility to do what is best for The Open and to maximise the benefits which The Open brings, not just to golf, but also to the local area. And, by the way, in huge funding for women's golf."

Tiger Woods refused to be drawn into the debate on Tuesday, while McIlroy said players had not been advised to avoid the subject this week.

"I haven't been advised either way," the world No 2 said. "I just think it's something that a lot of guys don't want to get themselves into because it's quite a controversial issue. It's something that shouldn't happen these days. It's something that we shouldn't even be talking about.

"Obviously it's an issue in some golf clubs. But in terms of life in general, I think men and women are treated equally for the most part these days. And that's the way it should be."

Sky Sports golf expert Denis Pugh was another to voice his concerns and said: "It's a fantastic golf course and it's good for the Open but it's inconceivable to come to somewhere where there's a ban on anyone.

"This is called the Open not the 'closed' and I'm not sure I'll be able to explain to my wife she's not allowed in certain areas! It's very strange. It's indefensible and it won't continue for many years. Golf doesn't need this because we've got a great tournament ahead."

Not everybody is against the single gender policy with support, perhaps surprisingly, coming from the chief of the Ladies' Golf Union.

"I don't think it has any affect," Shona Malcolm, CEO of the union, told Sky Sports News.

"We can see both sides of the story but we have affiliated ladies only golf clubs and they are very keen to maintain the status quo."

With around 3,000 golf clubs in the UK, Malcolm said that 1% of these had single gender membership policies.

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McGlynn Kearney and Dunne Through

Shane McGlynn qualified for the last 64 in the matchplay stage of the British Amateur Championship over the Royal Cinque Ports course on Wednesday, with Matthew McAlpin and Richard Bridges losing out in their matches.

East of Ireland champion Paul Dunne and Castlerock’s Aaron Kearney are also both through to the last 32. However Irish Close champion Cormac Sharvin failed to make it through the second round at the Kent links.
England’s Nick Marsh knocked out the highest ranked player in the field to reach the second match play round of the 118th Amateur Championship at Royal Cinque Ports.

After a delayed start due to thunder and lightning on the Kent coast, the preliminary round got under way shortly after 10am.

Marsh, from Huddersfield, mounted a strong finish, with birdies at the 15th, 16th and 17th, to eliminate Frenchman Julien Brun, who is ranked fifth in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, 4&2.

Fellow Englishman, Ben Stow enjoyed a convincing 5&4 win over Mathias Eggenberger. The University of Kentucky student took charge straight away against his Swiss opponent and was 5up at the turn. The 22-year-old from Rushmore clinched the win with five straight pars on the back nine.

Paul Kinnear notched up an impressive 3&2 win in an all-England clash against Daniel Brown. A close match was settled in the Formby player’s favour when he won the 14th, 15th and 16th holes, with a birdie on the 15th the highlight.

Young Spaniard Pep Angles defeated his compatriot Mario Galiano 4&2. The Central Arkansas Sophomore was never behind in the match. Three birdies on the front nine set him on his way and the match was decided with a birdie three on the 16th.

He was joined in the second round by Italian Riccardo Michelini, American AJ McInerney, Shane McGlynn and England’s Toby Crisp.

Rory Calls for Putter Unity

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Rory McIlroy has called for unity over the proposed rule changes on putting which are threatening to split the game.

Golf's governing bodies, the R&A and USGA, last year announced the proposed changes which would outlaw the use of anchored putters from 2016.

A 90-day consultation period for views on the rule changes to be expressed expires on Thursday but both the PGA Tour and the PGA of America oppose the move.

That raises the prospect of different rules being applied at different events and while McIlroy has previously stated he supports the ban, when speaking ahead of his defence of the Honda Classic, he appeared more concerned that rules are consistent across all competitions.

"I saw what (PGA Tour commissioner)Tim Finchem had to say and it seems like the European Tour is going to go a different way," McIlroy said.

"I read a thing Monty (Colin Montgomerie) said that this divide isn't good for golf and I don't think it is. We either need to all be on one side or the other.

"It's up to the governing bodies at the end of the day to decide. I sort of think it was a bit of a knee-jerk reaction to how much success people were having with it (players using long putters have won three of the last five majors).

"I'm all for people enjoying the game and trying to make the game as easy as possible and bringing people to the game, and if that means they should allow anchored putters to make it easier for the general public then that's a good thing.

"But then they talk about bifurcation, whether you should have one set of rules for us and one set for the amateurs and it's just a bit of a mess and opened a can of worms."

Asked if he thought the PGA Tour should go along with the USGA, McIlroy added: "I would. We have put the game of golf in the hands of the R&A and USGA for I don't know how many years and have always abided by the rules that they've set and I don't think there should be any difference."

And if that means allowing long putters, McIlroy appeared relaxed on the issue.

He said: "If it were up to me, whatever decision the USGA comes to, maybe the pressure the PGA Tour has put on them, they might change their minds and rethink about it, and if they do that it's totally fine with me."

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