Adam Scott plans to keep the broomhandle. (Reuters)

As expected, the USGA and R&A availed of this morning’s conference call with journalists to confirm their amendment of rule 14-1b to prohibit the anchored putting stroke. The announcement brings to an end what the official statement describes as an “extensive review” of the issue, during which comments from various dissenting parties and interest groups — among them the PGA Tour and PGA of America — were considered at length.

Join us below the line for a breakdown of the rule change itself, plus quotes and reaction from the saga’s chief protagonists (except for Carl Petterson; he needs a few days to process things, apparently).

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Part-time pro golfer and Policy Board Member Steve Stricker opposes the anchoring ban

On the final day of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, the semifinal and finals matches won’t necessarily dominate the headlines and the discussion. Instead, the announcement PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem is expected to make on Sunday will likely overshadow the actual golf.

In two meetings this week 15-member Players Advisory Council and the nine-member Tour Policy Board to thrash out the Tour’s stance on the USGA’s and R&A’s proposed ban on anchored putters, the majority of the players want the Tour brass to ask golf’s governing bodies to back off the rule change. And Finchem, who knows the “game” as well as anyone, will appear on Sunday’s broadcast to inform the world of the Tour’s objection, according to Sports Illustrated’s Michael Bamberger.

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As expected, the USGA and the R&A proposed a new rule that would ban anchoring of the club, most applicably the putter, to the body when making a stroke on Wednesday morning in a joint teleconference (see below for video aired on Golf Channel).

While golf’s governing bodies call it a “proposal,” it’s pretty much been decided that the rule will be implemented — but of course, to cover their bases, there will be a 90-day thorough review, so the members of the USGA and R&A rules committees can hear every side to every argument possible (as if this hasn’t been discussed enough) before the next approval in Spring of 2013. (continue reading…)

Keegan Bradley: say hello to his longer-than-standard friend. *ahem*

Golfweek’s Alex Miceli, currently in China for the WGC-HSBC Champions, has filed an interesting report on the growing resistance among exponents of anchored putting techniques to the idea of an equipment ban.

Some tour players, sensing their livelihoods at risk, are apparently willing to consider legal action in the event of a rules change. (continue reading…)

Really? Really.

Oh, the scene on the 18th green during the trophy presentation couldn’t have been more fitting to the punch-drunk ending that left me feeling kind of empty. Of course, it has nothing to do with Webb Simpson, a deserving champion. It was just weird, but I shouldn’t be surprised since the atmosphere was eerie from the start on Sunday.

The Squawking British Bird, wearing a UK-patterned-peacock-ski cap, charged the 18th green and camera-bombed the ceremony crowning Simpson as the 2012 U.S. Open champion. Best part? USGA Executive Director Mike Davis not missing a beat and yanking the guy out of the way. Simply classic. Also, lesson learned: Don’t mess with Mike! (continue reading…)

Congressional '11: golf as an endurance sport?

How it was relegated from the front pages I’ll never know, but it’s worth mentioning that yesterday was Congressional Country Club’s US Open Championship Media Day. Defending champion Graeme McDowell, USGA head honcho Mike Davis and other assorted bigwigs, including the improbably named Rand Jerris, held a press conference in preparation for the preparation for the year’s second major in which they outlined the rational basis for the course set-up. (continue reading…)

Mike Davis, the USGA set-up man for US Open courses and the director of rules and operations since 2005, was promoted as the organization’s new executive director, replacing David Fay, who stepped down after 21 years at the end of 2010, according to Golf Digest. Davis will take on his new responsibilities immediately. He’s the seventh executive director in the USGA’s 116-year history.

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Villegas: he's no Paddy

News is filtering down from the ivory tower shared by golf’s ruling bodies, the R&A and the USGA, that discussions are already underway to coordinate an administrative response to the disqualification controversy. Mike Davis, the USGA’s Senior Director of Rules and Competitions, had this to say earlier on:

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Since it’s been well established that Oakmont is playing excruciatingly difficult and scores are going to be discouragingly high, what’s the over/under on anyone breaking par in the first round of the US Women’s Open? There’s gotta be someone who lights up the course and fires even par, right? With all the reports of the grueling challenge the ladies have ahead of them, it’s hard to say.

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The US Women’s Open kicks off on Thursday at Oakmont and the stories dominating headlines this week have focused primarily on the golf course, particularly about it may be the toughest setup in tournament history. It’s cruel. It’s a beast. It’s just really, really hard. And it’s going to kick the ladies’ butts. I’ve been wincing just reading the preview stories (see here, here and here.)

“If Oakmont is firm, it will be by far the hardest test the women have ever seen,” proclaimed Mike Davis, the USGA setup man.

So, will it prove to be toughest US Women’s Open ever? (Not that I doubt Davis’ word for a second.) Let’s turn to LPGA pro Paige Mackenzie, who will take on Oakmont this week, for a field report.

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