New Orleans, LA …

The R & A and the USGA are to be applauded for a swift reaction in the outcry following the “Lexi Thompson” saga.

The ruling bodies issued a joint statement saying a new Decision 34-3/10 will limit the use of video evidence when the video evidence cannot be seen by the “naked eye”, such as unknowingly brushing sand in a bunker and when a golfer uses “reasonable judgement” to determine an exact location when applying the rules.

We remember Swedish Anna Nordquist being hit with a two stroke penalty for unknowingly brushing sand in a bunker after a viewer phoned in and with the resultant penalty costing her victory in last years US Open.

Of course, Thompson incurred a two-stroke penalty when officials reviewed video evidence after an email from a television viewer received on the Sunday of the ANA alleged that she had marked her ball to the side but then incorrectly replaced her ball in front of the marker and gaining about an inch advantage.

Thompson clearly broke the rules despite later claiming she did it unintentionally.  A day later in the final round, and while leading by three, she was approached and advised she was being given a four shot penalty and lost the event in a play off.

What was wrong is the whole process of how her infraction surfaced and from someone sitting at home watching on TV.

Lexi Thompson clearly in state of disbelief after losing the ANA.

“This important first step provides officials with tools that can have a ect and positive impact on the game,” said USGA CEO Mike Davis.

“We recognize there is more work to be done. Advancements in video technology are enhancing the viewing experience for fans, but can also significantly affect the competition. We need to balance those advances with what is fair for all players when applying the Rules.”

Added Martin Slumbers, chief executive of the R&A: “We have been considering the impact of video review on the game and feel it is important to introduce a Decision to give greater clarity in this area. Golf has always been a game of integrity, and we want to ensure that the emphasis remains as much as possible on the reasonable judgement of the player rather than on what video technology can show.”

But the release does not address the bone of contention among all competitors, and that is the issue of armchair TV critics phoning or emailing event event organisers in what is commonly been referred to as “Trail by Video”.

However, the USGA and R&A advise they have assigned a working group from the professional tours and the PGA of America that will review those and other existing rules and possibly recommend changes.

“Everything about television call-ins is on the table, including should we take any at all,” Thomas Pagel and Senior Rules Director at the USGA.

“The Rules of Golf, and committees applying the Rules of Golf, currently treat all evidence as evidence, regardless of the source. Should it be broken down so that evidence can only come from someone on the golf course versus someone off the golf course? Should the committee be the only ones who reveal fact through television? These are all questions if we were to react quickly and make a decision here, I’m not sure we would be fully aware of the consequences those outcomes. We might create even greater controversy than we’ve seen today.

“The same applies to the question of the penalty for an incorrectly signed scorecard [after a penalty is retroactively assessed]. There’s a finality to scoring to when the competition is closed after the final round. Whether a similar finality could be applied at the close of every round is something that potentially will be discussed. Those questions are going to be the focus of the work group.”