PGA keeps same bunker rules in 2015 as 2010 at Whistling Straits
The bunker that was site of Dustin Johnson’s shocking demise on the 72nd hole of the 2010 PGA Championship may be covered, but the PGA of America will still apply the same definition of a bunker five years later at Whistling Straits.
The PGA of America has already released and posted supplementary rules for next week’s final major of the year, explaining that, again, if it has sand in it, it’s probably a bunker.
Here’s the full text of the rule:
1. All areas of the course that were designed and built as bunkers, filled wth sand, will be played as bunkers (hazards), whether or not they have been raked. This will mean that many bunkers positioned outside of the ropes, as well as some areas of bunkers inside the ropes, close to the rope line, will likely include numerous footprints, heel prints, trash and tire tracks during the play of the Championship. Such irregularities of surface are a part of the game and no free relief will be available from these conditions. All bunkers inside the ropes will be raked each morning prior to play as normal.
2. Stones in bunkers are movable obstructions (Rule 24-1 applies)
The language is very similar to what was posted in the players’ locker room in 2010.
After hitting his tee shot some 70 yards right on the final hole of regulation, Johnson’s ball found a sandy area in which fans had been standing and trash had been sitting. Johnson didn’t remember the local rule for the week and grounded his club as he hit his second shot. After making what Johnson thought was a bogey to join a playoff with Martin Kaymer and Bubba Watson, a rules official explained Johnson’s mistake and that he would need to take a two-stroke penalty for grounding his club in a bunker.
Kaymer won the playoff for his first major title.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
