Jason Kidd is an excellent human being, an incredible athlete and an even better golfer.
If a player is late for his pro-am starting time, instead of being DQ’d, he will be subject to punishment under “unbecoming conduct.” The player will be required to play in the remainder of the pro-am round and may be required to perform additional sponsor activity. But if a player misses the pro-am entirely, then he will be ruled ineligible for the tournament unless he’s been excused under the provisions allowed.
Furyk, who was ranked third in FedEx Cup points, slipped to 8th at the conclusion of The Barclays.
“I am glad the PGA Tour has changed the rule surrounding my disqualification from last week’s Barclays Championship,” Furyk said in a statement distributed by the Tour at TPC Boston.
Tour commissioner Tim Finchem has asked the Player Advisory Council and Player Directors to review the current pro-am policy to work out other possibilities to ensure that players honor their pro-am requirement without putting them at risk of disqualification. The issue will be discussed at the meeting in November.
Why the sudden change in midst of the FedEx Cup and near the end of the season when players have been disqualified from events in the past for breaking the same rule? Furyk unintentionally became a martyr for the cause with his high ranking in FedEx Cup points in the race for the $10 million prize, not to mention he’s the No. 6 ranked player in the world. And Mickelson’s strong objections (calling the rule “ridiculous”) certainly didn’t hurt either.
September 1st, 2010 on 1:07 pm
Of course, Maria Hjorth and Helen Alfredsson were DQ’d from the Kraft Nabisco for failing to show for the pro-am when they were alternates (1st and 2nd alternate, I think). The person who started the chain of events was Patty Sheehan, not even an active player, who failed to show for her slot, triggering the 1st alternate and then the 2nd alternate. Not much fuss was made over that. Will the LPGA now reconsider?
September 1st, 2010 on 6:54 pm
Good point about Mimi and Helen. Forgot about that. It is a good idea to review these things from time to time and use common sense. Then again- common sense is in short supply in society these days.
September 1st, 2010 on 6:58 pm
Hey WUP, the Kidd thing could have been worse. He could have had you make sure the Empire State Building was bathed in Dallas colors for a night. Although they didn’t do it for Mother Theresa, your description of Jason being an excellent human being certainly puts him in the ballpark- if not on top of the building.