Paul Azinger, who got disqualified from Doral in his playing career when a viewer called in a rule violation, said Tiger Woods should not withdraw from the Masters to protect the integrity of a new rule that protects players who sign a wrong scorecard without knowing that they were doing so.
Azinger said the amendment to a 2012 rule would have protected players like him.
“This is a rule to protect the players,” Azinger said. “I actually like the fact that he is protected.”
On Saturday, Woods was assessed a two-shot penalty for an illegal drop on the 15th hole during Friday’s second round of the Masters. The Masters said the Rules Committee determined Woods had not violated the rule while Woods was on the course after being tipped by a viewer. But after Woods made post-round comments indicated he moved the ball back “two yards” from the original spot, the Masters reviewed the tape again and decided to assess the two-stroke penalty.
Curtis Strange said the two stroke penalty was enough of a penalty and asked analysts like Nick Faldo, who suggested Woods should withdraw, whether they would withdraw in a tournament when there was a rule in place to protect players from such a disqualification.
The Masters also indicated that if Woods were disqualified, it may take the teeth out of the 2012 rule that prevents players from being disqualified when their scorecards after they have been submitted.
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