Thomas Bjorn was lucky not to suffer the ultimate penalty of disqualification during the second round of the Barclays Singapore Open.
Bjorn had putted out for a par at the final hole in what the Dane thought was a 68 for a five under par tally.
However before leaving the 18th green of the Tanjong course he was met by Swedish-born referee, Thomas Waldenstedt.
Thomas Bjorn in discussion with rules officials (Thomas Waldenstedt - left) after his second round in the Barclays Singapore Open. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)
Waldenstedt indicated to Bjorn he has been in serious breach of ‘Local Rules’ after an incident on the right hand side of the 18th when Bjorn hit a light stanchion with his second shot.
Bjorn’s ball ricocheted off the stanchion from where he played a third to the green and holed out for a par.
However the ‘Local Rules’ in place this week for the play on the Tanjong course clearly indicate that if a players ball hits one of the towers used for night golf, then the shot has to be replayed.
It’s much the same if you hit overhanging power lines in normal weekend social competition.
But while Bjorn did call for a referee Waldenstedt did not arrive until after Bjorn had shaken hands with his playing partners and exchanged score cards.
There was then a gathering of all three players, caddies and interested spectators at the side of the green before Bjorn was informed he must wipe his last three shots and return to the fairway and replay his second shot.
However Waldenstedt indicated Bjorn was to then add a two-stroke penalty to his card.
Bjorn , while obviously disappointed to have incurred the penalty, again putted out for a par but with the penalty it meant having to record a double bogey ‘six’ in a round of 70 for a three under par tally.
He then waited outside the Scorer’s Hut to verify with Waldenstedt his eventual score.
“Thomas knew that he had hit one of the light towers with his second shot but I don’t know what he then did other than he holed out,” said Waldenstedt.
“I was then alerted on the radio that he hit the light tower with his second shot and that Thomas did not replay his second.
“Under the Asian Tour local rules for the Tanjong course this week when you hit one of the light towers that stroke must be cancelled and replayed.
“And in this situation and if Thomas had of signed his scorecard without rectifying this it would have meant disqualification.
“So his original second stroke was cancelled and so were all other shots so he had to go back play his second again but then add two penalty strokes to whatever score he had.”
Bjorn’s breach of local rules immediately rekindled memories of Dustin Johnson’s mishap during last year’s U.S. PGA Championship at Whistling Straits.
But unlike the American, Bjorn’s actions did not cost him the chance of a Major Championship victory.
Bjorn arrived in Singapore as one of the best performed players this year on the Race to Dubai Tour with victories in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, Johnnie Walker Championship and Omega European Masters.
He is currently lying eighth on the money list and the chance to finish better than a career high of fifth in 2000.
