Official Ruling at Pinehurst

photo credit: jerryonlife   During a U.S. Open championship at the Pinehurst No.2 course, a player’s ball came to rest in the cuff of a spectator’s pants.  A rules Official ruled that the ball must be played as it lay-a controversial interpretation of the rules even then.

The player was willing to give it a shot, so to speak, but the spectator would have no part of it.  Scanning the gallery to make sure there were no ladies present, he carefully pulled off his pants and held them out so the golfer could play his shot.  The shot was successful, the spectator put his pants back on and both men received a much-deserved ovation. 

This poses the question as to whether certain rules need to be revised by the USGA.