Linda-- Five days after a Match Play tournament, Player A called to register a Claim. Player A said she had thought about the tournament all weekend. The match was all square after 17 holes. On the 18th hole, Player A stated that Player B had a long putt for a 5 but it did not go in and Player A had a good chip and a short putt for a 6. Player A then conceded the Match to Player B, mistakenly thinking B had that short putt for a 5 on the hole. During the weekend Player A remembered Player B would have had a 6 on that hole and not a 5. This would have put the Match into extra holes. Player A said she was given Wrong Information on that hole. What should the Committee have done?
Dear Lulu,
If Player B made an honest mistake in agreeing that she had a putt left for a 5 on the hole, then the Committee should let the results of the match stand, with Player B as the winner. Unless the Committee is convinced that Player B intentionally misinformed Player A about her stroke total, the Committee is not permitted to consider a claim after the results of the match have been officially announced (Rule 2-5).
If Player B knew she had already taken 5 shots and had a short putt left for a 6 and deliberately did not correct Player A’s misunderstanding of her stroke count, then the Committee should disqualify Player B for a serious breach of etiquette (Rule 33-7; Decision 9-2/12). Such withholding of information is contrary to the spirit of the game. Player A would be declared the winner.
Now for some advice:
If Player A was unsure of Player B’s stroke count, she was entitled to ask and B was required to answer. Chances are that if the players took the time to review the score, they would have realized the match was still all square (assuming both players nailed their short putts). If the players disagreed on B’s count, the time for A to file the claim was right then and there. A would have to tell B before teeing off on the next hole (or before leaving the putting green, since in this case it was the last hole of the match) that she was making a claim because she believed B’s stroke count was incorrect and that she wanted the Committee to rule on the matter.
Lulu, it is vitally important during match play to keep track of both your score and your opponent’s. Not only will it help you avoid the heartache of losing a match you should have had a chance to win, but knowing the stroke count can affect your decision whether to try a risky shot or a more conservative one.
Linda
Copyright © 2008 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
