Scotland’s Martin Laird could easily share some sympathy with playing partner, Woody Austin was had to call a four-shot penalty on himself when he realised after just three holes he was playing with 15 clubs in his bag.
The 49-year old Tampa golfer, who is contesting his 10th PGA Championship, realised he was carrying an extra rescue club in his bag.
Austin called for a rules official who confirmed the breach under Rule 4-4 and it meant the American eventually signing for a score of 75 and a similar four over par tally as the Scots.
Scotland’s Martin Laird can sympathise with Woody Austin. (Photo – www.pgatour.com)
“Woody hit a rescue club for his tee shot at number three and he noticed then that he was carrying an extra rescue club that shouldn’t have been there,” said Laird.
“I had already hit and I was already walking down the fairway when he shouted ‘Hey, Martin’.
“But then he was very professional about it as he continued to plug along and as it turns out now if you take those four penalty shots off his card he would be playing over the weekend.
“So that’s golf.”
Just last month Laird was in contention for The Open after two holes of the third round at Muirfield when he then took a horror ‘9’ at the short par four, third hole.
And to compound Laird’s agony he was approached by a rules official a handful of holes later and advised to add a further stroke to his card as he had not informed playing partner, Dustin Johnson he had lifted his ball to identify it.
“It’s never good when someone has to call a penalty like that on himself and I should know, as I’ve had my fair share of rulings, including what happened at Muirfield,” he said.
“But the rules are the rules and it’s unfortunate stuff but Woody handled it well and he was very impressive as he nearly made the cut.”
