Orlando, Florida …. 

Padraig Harrington has more interest than most in backing New Year changes to the Rules of Golf that will ban ‘TV lounge chair’ dismissals.

The triple Major winner knows first-hand what it’s like to be thrown out of an event having been disqualified from the 2011 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship after being judged to have illegally moved his ball on day one of the UAE event.

A TV viewer, and having access to ‘slow-mo’ footage, emailed the European Tour to say Harrington had moved his ball albeit slightly in taking his coin away after replacing his ball.

Since the ball was not replaced, and with Harrington totally unaware he had knocked his ball, he incurred a two-stroke penalty but as the penalty was not included on his scorecard, Chief Referee Andy McFee had no option the next day but to disqualify him.

Padraig Harrington faces the media 2011 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. Photo – European Tour.

Golf’s ruling bodies later introduced ‘Harrington’s Rule’ to protect players from ‘slow-mo’ rulings but now both the R & A and USGA have abolished the practice of people phoning-in or emailing alleged breaches of the rules.

And while Harrington is one of many to have suffered at the hands of TV rulings, he is delighted with the decision.

“I am in full agreeance with the changes they have announced and it is a step in the right direction,” he said.

“I was not unhappy with what happened in Abu Dhabi and I also think the chnage will help speed-up play.

“Though it does mean someone has to sit there and look at TV coverage at tournaments checking for mistakes.

“Really, and as was the case with me in Abu Dhabi, people were phoning-in over things that really happened by accident.

“So, in stopping that practice it will speed-up play as players are currently afraid to take rulings into their own hands and will call instead for a referee.

“The thing is players don’t want to make a mistake that could result in later being disqualified.

So, I can see this new ruling placing more of any rulings in their own hands and not needingto call for a referee that only leads to a slowing-up in play.

“There also would seem to be a lot less punishment such as being disqualified with this new decision to be Golfin place from the New Year.”