***2025 Oakmont US Open Thread*** (3 Viewers)

[Brunell4MVP]

Maybe he doesn't win anyway, but man it seems like Burns got a REALLY bad break with that ruling on the standing water. It seemed pretty clear with every practice swing (and then the actual shot) that that area was absolutely soaked.

And then someone posted a video walking around where he allegedly hit from and there was tons of visible water coming up with each step.

https://x.com/flushingitgolf/status/1934394450295353390

Always thought the whole "water has to come up around your feet" made no sense. Someone who weighs more is going to displace more water (and then be more likely to get a free drop), right?

Maybe the ruling was right at the time. I don think they ever gave us a close up of anyone's feet when they were deciding. But it certainly looked wrong based on the way water flew up on the shot.

That being said, he let one "Bad" (maybe) ruling cost him like 4 shots over the next 3 holes. Gotta get over it and keep your cool if you're gonna win the big one.

There needs to be visible water. Two officials both agreed that wasn't satisfied. Get it is a tough break with the lie but if both officials agree and they both know the rules much better then I do then think it was right ruling.

No idea when that video was taken but it continued to rain so not sure if that is representative.

the tourney made the wrong call by not giving everyone lift, clean, and place on balls in the fairway after that downpour anyway.

Once 1 golfer tees off while playing it ‘down’, you can’t flip to lift, clean, and place. That happens quite a bit at all levels.

But typically everyone is very liberal with standing water drops at that point too.

The bolded is incorrect and often a statement I hear from very good players or players that know rules very well. The committee can actually decide to change to lift clean and place during a tournament. The USGA did it in one of my qualifiers two years ago. I played in the morning. it poured. The afternoon guys were sent back out lift clean and place. it is very very rare. But it does happen.

 

[BassNBrew]

This is a big topic in high-level Jr Golf (and I agree that mudballs and divots could be viewed separately)....but learning to play out of a variety of lies and conditions is considered an important part of learning the game. It's foundational and won't drastically change ever, IMO. How does the ball react, how do different clubs and swings then affect the ball, how do I need to attack the ball, what's the 'smart' play...etc.

Euros clearly learn how to play in a variety of conditions and blue collar courses. For Seve, etc it was a difference maker. But also Tiger...Earl surely grinded him through every lie imaginable on their SD 'muni'. Even Country Clubs brats like Speith and JT have elevated themselves with their creativity. Great hands are a part of it, but also teaching and practice.

Agree. That is the essence of golf. You play it where it lies.

Anyone that fluffs up their ball or moves it out of a divot has a score that is not really indicative of their skill level.

So when I play with a foursome or whatever and a guy tells me he shot an 84 but half his shots he moved the ball for a better lie? That score is BS.

Yeah, play it where it lays Homer.

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