By ALEX MICELI
Golfweek ContributorPACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. – Bring back the old cut!
That was the loud and clear message that the Players Advisory Council sent to the PGA Tour Policy Board at a meeting here Tuesday night before the Northern Trust Open.
The PAC, with 16 members present or participating via conference call, addressed the increasingly unpopular decision in November by the Policy Board to restructure tournament cuts.
Traditionally, the 36-hole cut has been at 70 players and ties to advance to weekend play. However, the new mandate, dubbed “Rule 78,” limits the field when the size of the cut exceeds 78 players. In those cases, the cut would be the number closest to 70. Players who otherwise would have advanced to weekend play receive last-place money, FedEx Cup and pension points – but no chance to win on the weekend.
Already, Rule 78 has come into play in two events this year: 18 players fell into that category at the Sony Open and 19 at the Buick Invitational.
According to Tour officials, the PAC is recommending that the 70-and-ties cut be re-established after 36 holes regardless of the size of the cut. In cases where the total cut would exceed 78, a secondary cut would be implemented after 54 holes. That secondary cut is still in flux but could include a cut closest to 70 and ties or even a smaller cut to 60 or 65 players and ties.
“The consensus is that they don’t like the new rule,” David Toms, a member of the Policy Board, said Wednesday. “So however we have to get back to what we used to protect the integrity of the event, we need to do.”
Another part of the recommendation would allow rules officials more latitude in administering tournaments, including the use of threesomes or even foursomes, with an eye on faster play. Play could begin on both nines, if necessary. Currently, the Policy Board has mandated that rules officials use twosomes whenever possible.
“Whatever makes sense, as far as television goes: The competition itself, how much daylight we have to play with, maybe giving the officials a little more room to work with depending on field size,” Toms said.
Joe Ogilvie, a PAC board member who attended Tuesday's meeting, said he is willing to support the players’ recommendation.
“If we’re going to go down to a secondary cut, I think we’re only solving half the problem and not the full problem,” Rich Beem said. “Slow play is not helping the situation whatsoever. How do we solve that? Do we give rules officials more latitude? Do we ask them to be more diligent? At this point, I would be in favor of dropping it to 67 or 65 and ties.”
The Policy Board will meet during the week of the Honda Classic. Any rules changes would be implemented the next week at the PODS Championship in Tampa, Fla.
Posted: 2/13/2008
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