by M. James Ward<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This past week’s rules situation at the Waste Management Phoenix Open event on the PGA TOUR brought to the surface a range of questions since the amended rules of golf were put into effect with the start of the new year. Rescinding a two-shot penalty on Denny McCarthy and absolving Justin Thomas brought to light how important meaningful interpretations are enacted that keep such situations from escalating — most notably in the four major championships coming up this year. This situation started two weeks earlier during the Euro Tour’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic when China’s Haotong Li was hit with the same penalty — his offense, however, was kept in place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n