OLD GOLF SOULS
The youngest players ever in a Masters field and how they performed:
Age, year; Player, Country; Scores; Place;
14, 2013; Tianlang Guan, China; 73-75; T-55
16, 2010; Matteo Manassero, Italy; 71-76-73-72; T-36
17, 1952; Tommy Jacobs, USA; 79-81-77-70; 60
17, 2009; Ryo Ishikawa, Japan; 73-77; MC
On the day history was made, a young amateur golfer from China continued to throw off the curve for 14-year-olds. He did more than show remarkable skill and poise on the revered grounds of Augusta National, he calmly reacted to implausible adversity that would’ve sent most in his age bracket into a prepubescent rage.
Tianlang Guan had every right to stomp his feet, scream and storm out of Augusta National on Friday when a knucklehead official, John Paramor, put his foot down on the face of one of the year’s feel-good stories.
Amid windy conditions, Paramor, after issuing warnings on previous holes, assessed Guan a one-stroke penalty for taking too long to choose a club and hit his second shot on hole No. 17.
The rule allows for 40 seconds to address the ball. Guan said only that he took “over 50 seconds.”
Off with his head!
Wait. What?
Even Guan’s 61-year-old playing partner, Ben Crenshaw, said, “This isn’t going to end pretty. I’m sick for him. He’s 14 years old. … I’m sorry, I’m a player. It’s not easy to get around this golf course the way it’s set up for two days.”
In sports officiating hell, Sam Holbrook (infield fly rule) and John Paramor (too much time) will be giving seminars.
Before we delve further into the ugliness from Friday at Augusta, here’s something to embrace. Guan’s 3-over 75 left him at 4 over for the two days. He made the cut. He qualified for the Masters as the youngest player in 148 years to compete in a major. He therefore became the youngest player to make the cut of the Masters or any other major.
Guan had left Augusta National by the time leader Jason Day (at 6 under) hit his 18th tee shot into the bunker, all but ensuring he wouldn’t birdie the hole and drop Guan south of the cut line.
Day wouldn’t like this analysis, but his miscue was a needed market correction by the golf gods (who need to consider some serious smiting of Paramor).
Guan said earlier of the stroke penalty, “I respect the decision they make.” And, “I think they should do what is fair for everybody.” And, “If I make (the cut) I would be really grateful and really happy for it. But if not it would still be a good week.”
Contrast this with the petulant Dustin Johnson (twice Guan’s age at 28). After going 6 over in his last five holes to a blow a second-round lead, Johnson stormed past the media without commenting. Guan also showed more class and dignity than golf officials, who conferenced with Guan and his camp for nearly 90 minutes before the golfer emerged to talk to the media.
The club released only a thin statement, while Paramor was quoted by the Associated Press as saying: “I feel like that in those situations, any time they happen, that’s my job. That is what I do.”
It’s true. He has a history of anal retentiveness in this area.
He penalized Seve Ballesteros a stroke for slow play in the third round of the 2003 Italian Open. (Ballesteros went ballistic, signed his card for a 75 instead of a 76 and was disqualified.)
He warned Padraig Harrington, in the midst of a close battle with Tiger Woods, for slow play in the 2008 Bridgestone Invitational. (Even Woods criticized Paramor.) He repeatedly warned Ross Fisher in the 2009 British Open (but never penalized him).
I’m certain if reincarnation exists, Paramor was a second hand in a previous life.
There is no record for a slow-play penalty ever being called in the Masters. Again: Ever.
A stroke penalty hasn’t been called in a PGA Tour event since the 1995 Honda Classic (Glen “All” Day). It hadn’t been called in a major — not considered a Tour event — since the 2010 PGA Championship (Gregory Bourdy).
Guan was assessed a penalty after his second shot on the 17th hole after he given a first warning on No. 13 and was spoken to again at 16: He took several minutes and changed his club when he watched Matteo Manassero hit his tee shot into the water, and again while taking too long to line up his putt.
Crenshaw again: “He had obviously the most diabolical putt you could face and he made a brilliant two-putt. Anybody would take time in order to get up and hit that putt.”
Most other golfers were on Guan’s side. Lee Westwood: “He probably learned to play slowly after watching us professional golfers on TV, so why should we be surprised?”
The stroke penalty caused a five-minute discussion between Guan and Paramor. Perhaps shaken, Guan then missed a would-be birdie putt on 17. With the penalty stroke, a par morphed into a bogey. It put him in danger of missing the cut.
Had that happened, U.S-China relations might have taken a major hit.
The issue of slow play is not a new one in professional golf. But why make this an issue now? Why at the Masters? Why, when there’s this amazing 14-year-old amateur from China who has even managed to steer the attention of non-golf fans away from Tiger Woods?
Now you do this? On the second day of the tournament (Guan never was warned on Day 1)?
On the 17th hole? Paramor couldn’t just wait to have a talk with Guan after the 18th?
The penalty was nonsensical on so many levels. But credit to Guan for not acting his age. And while booing in golf is frowned upon, a few verbal bombs hurled in Paramor’s direction seem justified.
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