USPGA to suspend Pro-Am rule that disqualified Jim Furyk

The US PGA are to suspend the rule which caused Jim Furyk to be disqualified for the first of the FedEx Cup playoffs, The Barclays, last week.

On Wednesday before the tournament, Furyk had overslept due to his mobile phone battery running out of charge and not sounding his alarm with the result that the player missed his allotted tee-off time for the Pro-Am. US PGA rules state that a player who misses his Pro-Am obligation is automatically disqualified from the tournament proper.

After Furyk’s dismissal, Phil Mickelson called the ruling “ridiculous” and added: “I cannot disagree with it more – I have no idea how the commissioner let this rule go through.”

However, US PGA commissioner Tim Finchem has announced that the rule will now be suspended for the remainder of the season. Players who turn up late for their Pro-Am tee-time will be obligated to participate in the remainder of the round, as well as perform additional sponsor activity as required.

But players who miss their obligation altogether will still be disqualified from competing unless the player has been excused from appearing as per the regulations. Currently, players can be excused appearing in Pro-Am events through family emergency or injury.

Finchem has also announced that the current regulations surrounding Pro-Am participation be evaluated by the Player Advisory Council and Player Directors, with discussions into the matter to be held in November.

“The commissioner has asked the Player Advisory Council and Player Directors to evaluate the current pro-am regulations to determine whether alternative measures can effectively ensure that players honour their pro-am obligations without placing them at risk of disqualification.

“The matter will be discussed at the Policy Board meeting in November.”