Well, this is no way to “grow the game.”
Tianlang Guan, the 14-year-old golf sensation from China, was assessed the first slow-play penalty at the Masters since 1995 on Friday. It came on the 17th green in the midst of negotiating what playing partner Ben Crenshaw described as “the most diabolical putt you could face.” Guan managed a two-putt for par before being assessed the one-stroke, slow-play penalty, which meant he’d card a bogey.
That meant, instead of a second-round 74, he’d end up shooting 75 and may end up being outside the cutline at 4-over-par for the Masters. This year the cut is set for the top 50 players plus ties and anyone within 10 shots of the lead.
Crenshaw was infuriated.
“This isn’t going to end up being pretty I don’t think,” the two-time Masters champion said. “I”m sick. I’m sick for him. He’s 14 years old. We’re playing, and when you get the wind blowing out here, believe me, you’re going to change your mid a lot. I’m sorry; I’m a player, but it is not easy to get around this golf course the way it’s set up.”
Fred Ridley, Masters competition committee chairman, issued a statement to explain the ruling:
“Tianlang Guan was assessed a one-shot penalty for violation of Rule 6-7 of the Rules of Golf and the Tournament’s Pace of Play Policy. His group, which included Ben Crenshaw and Matteo Manassero, was deemed out of position on No. 10. Guan began being timed on Hole 12 and received his first warning on Hole 13 after his second shot. In keeping with the applicable rules, he was penalized following his 2nd shot on the 17th hole when he again exceeded the 40 second time limit by a considerable margin.”
Guan spent a long time in the official scorer’s office after his round and did not come to interview room in the press building, as had been planned before news of the penalty stroke was circulated.
But Guan told ESPN he understood the decision of the rules officials and would accept whatever tournament results come as a result.
“I respect the decision they make,” Guan said. “… I think they should do it with respect to everybody.”
ESPN reported their ratings among their younger viewership demographic was up considerably the first day thanks to Guan If he ends up missing the cut by the stroke — he otherwise would be the youngest ever to do so — the Masters could have an international incident on its hands.
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