PGA Tour Commissioner, Tim Finchem declared the Tour is not ‘at war’ with golf’s ruling bodies in disagreeing with the proposed  anchoring ban of the belly or long-handled putters.

While Americans Matt Kuchar and defending champion, Hunter Mahan were out fighting for the WGC – Accenture Match-Play Championship, Finchem met with the media present at Dove Mountain to reveal the PGA Tour’s Players Advisory Committee ha had discussed the issue.

“We (PGA Tour) did give the USGA our position last week and our Player Advisory Council concluded that we should be opposed to it and we articulated that to the USGA,” said Finchem.

PGA Tour Commissioner, Tim Finchem praying the USGA don’t introduce a ban to the anchoring of the belly or long-handled putter. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

“Also I have read some things in the media that would indicated we are kind of at war with the USGA over this thing but I want to clarity it that we are very supportive with the USGA and we hold them in high regard,

“But we were asked our opinion and feel strongly going down that road would be a mistake.

“So this is a very subjective thing as 25 to 30 years ago you look at anchoring of long putters and everybody has an opinion but then the USGA approved it twice.

“Our view is that if there is one thing that would prevail across a lot of players and a lot of our board members is that it’s been around for a generation and the game of golf has done quite well.

“So unless you have a compelling reason to change it, you shouldn’t.

“And the USGA has indicated there is no performance advantage to anchoring so on that basis, and given the fallout occurs with amateurs and the fallout that occurs with players like Webb (Simpson) and Keegan (Bradley), and those who have grown up with the process, there then are negatives,

“Our players from day one have sort of said, and we then we have players who want to see the ban, but then again it is a subjective decision.

“But a lot of players are saying that there is no significant upside and against any compelling advantage then let’s not do it.

“So we have submitted our opinion, and the PGA of America has come out against it as well, and we will see what the USGA will do.”

And if golf’s ruling bodies should decide to introduce an across the board ban, then Finchem was quizzed if the PGA Tour will go it alone in conducting a Tour that allows for the anchoring of the belly or long-handled putter.

“It may get a little chaotic but first of all our rules say we are going to follow the USGA rules provided we maintain the right to differ,” said Finchem.

“But this is just one rule and we are not interested in getting into the rule-making business.  We like the structure for rules. We are delighted this rule has got the transperency it has and everyone has been invited to give an opinion whether it’s an equipment matter or not and that’s good.

“But if the ban is put in place we would have go back to our Board and begin the process again, so lets just see what happens as I would not like to speculate right now except to say ideally that all the rules should be under the one roof and all the rules should be the same for everybody.

“Right now we are hopeful, and the PGA of America is hopeful, that the USGA will maybe change their mind and end it that way and we then don’t have to go back to the process.”