Written by: Darin Green, Senior Director of Rules & Competitions
I hope you were able to watch the exciting BMW Championship over the weekend. Olympia Fields Country Club, located outside of Chicago, was playing firm and fast giving the players a major-like test. The final round was exciting with many great players near the top of the leaderboard and as it came down the final holes, Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm were battling it out. On the final hole, Johnson had to make a 45-foot double-breaking putt to force a playoff with Rahm, who was on range staying warm. Johnson’s putt struck the flagstick dead center and dropped in to force a playoff.
Rahm and Johnson returned to the 18-hole for the playoff. Both players found the green with their approach shots, but Johnson was much closer. Rahm had a curling 66-foot birdie putt, which amazingly struck the flagstick dead center and dropped in for a three. Johnson’s putt to tie came up just short giving the Rahm the title.
During the second round on Friday, Jon Rahm had a mental lapse, which earned him a one-stroke penalty. He hit is approach shot on the front of the fifth green and walked onto the green, leaned over and picked up his ball without marking it! As he was tossing the ball to his caddie, he suddenly realized he did not mark the ball. He called for an Official and explained the situation. The Official told to Rahm that he incurred a one-stroke penalty and he must estimate the location and replace the ball, or place a ball marker down. Luckily, for Rahm, the penalty stroke did not cost him the tournament. This is the second time in two months that Jon Rahm has incurred penalties for moving his ball, but he still won both tournaments.
Rule 14.1 states that if a ball is lifted under a Rule that requires the ball to be replaced that the player must first mark the position of the ball. If the player lifts, moves, or rotates the ball without marking it prior the player gets a one-stroke penalty and you must replace the ball. If you accidentally move your ball whiles searching for it or while it is on the putting green there is no penalty; however, Rahm was clearly intending to move his ball, he just forgot to mark it.
