R&A Press Release

For Immediate Release

NEW RULES OF GOLF DECISION LIMITS USE OF VIDEO REVIEW

25 April 2017, St Andrews, Scotland and Far Hills, N.J., USA: The R&A and the USGA have issued a new Decision on the Rules of Golf to limit the use of video evidence in the game which takes effect immediately.

The two organisations have also established a working group of LPGA, PGA Tour, European Tour, Ladies European Tour and PGA of America representatives to immediately begin a comprehensive review of broader video issues that arise in televised competitions, including viewer call-ins.

New Decision 34-3/10 implements two standards for Rules committees to limit the use of video: 1) when video reveals evidence that could not reasonably be seen with the “naked eye” and 2) when players use their reasonable judgment to determine a specific location when applying the Rules. The full language of the Decision can be found here.

The first standard states “the use of video technology can make it possible to identify things that could not be seen with the naked eye.” An example includes a player who unknowingly touches a few grains of sand in taking a backswing with a club in a bunker when making a stroke.

If the committee concludes that such facts could not reasonably have been seen with the naked eye and the player was not otherwise aware of the potential breach, the player will be deemed not to have breached the Rules, even when video technology shows otherwise. This extends the provision from ball at rest moved cases, which was introduced in 2014 (Decision 18/4).

The second standard applies when a player determines a spot, point, position, line, area, distance or other location in applying the Rules and recognises that a player should not be held to the degree of precision that can sometimes be provided by video technology. Examples include determining the nearest point of relief, or replacing a lifted ball.

So long as the player does what can reasonably be expected under the circumstances to make an accurate determination, the player’s reasonable judgment will be accepted, even if later shown to be wrong by the use of video evidence.

Both of these standards have been extensively discussed as part of the Rules modernisation initiative and The R&A and the USGA have decided to enact this Decision immediately because of the many difficult issues arising from video review in televised golf.

The standards in the Decision do not change any of the current requirements in the Rules, as the player must still act with care, report all known breaches of the Rules and try to do what is reasonably expected in making an accurate determination when applying the Rules.

Video-related topics that require a deeper evaluation by the working group include the use of information from sources other than participants such as phone calls, email or social media and the application of penalties after a score card has been returned.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “We have been considering the impact of video review on the game and feel it is important to introduce a Decision to give greater clarity in this area. Golf has always been a game of integrity and we want to ensure that the emphasis remains as much as possible on the reasonable judgment of the player rather than on what video technology can show.”

USGA Executive Director/CEO Mike Davis said, “This important first step provides officials with tools that can have a direct and positive impact on the game. We recognise there is more work to be done. Advancements in video technology are enhancing the viewing experience for fans but can also significantly affect the competition. We need to balance those advances with what is fair for all players when applying the Rules.”

The R&A and the USGA will consider additional modifications recommended by the working group for implementation in advance of 1 January 2019, when the new code resulting from the collaborative work to modernise golf’s Rules takes effect.

ON LINE ENTRIES NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE R&A'S ELITE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS

 Susan Simpson, Assistant Director – Amateur Events, said, “We have a full season of men’s, women’s, boys’ and girls’ championships this year. We are really pleased to offer a new, easy to use system of online entries and we hope that our players benefit from a much smoother process.”

 Ed Johnson, Assistant Director – Amateur Championships, added, “The new system really speeds up the process for entrants, who will now know very quickly if their entry has been accepted. “Bringing the two organisations together has allowed us to create a platform to develop our aspirations for amateur golf across both the men’s and women’s game.”
 Online entries for The R&A's 2017 season of elite amateur championships now open.
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SEE R&A VIDEO ON YOU TUBE

Bridget Jackson and José María Olazábal awarded Honorary membership of the R&A

THE ROYAL AND ANCIENT GOLF CLUB OF ST ANDREWS ANNOUNCES TWO NEW HONORARY MEMBERS

20 February 2017, St Andrews, Scotland: Renowned golfers Bridget Jackson MBE, Hon D.Sc. (Birmingham) and José María Olazábal have accepted invitations to become Honorary Members of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

During a notable amateur career, Jackson, pictured right, played in the Curtis Cup for Great Britain and Ireland on three occasions and was selected as an England international nine times. She has served as Chair and President of the English Ladies Golf Association and President of the Ladies’ Golf Union. She was made a MBE in 2003 for her services to women’s golf.

Olazábal is one of the world’s most successful and popular golfers, winning 30 professional tournaments during his career, including the Masters in 1994 and 1999. He was admitted to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2009.

Bridget Jackson MBE, Hon D.Sc. (Birmingham), said, “I am delighted to accept this invitation to become an Honorary Member of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club. I have been fortunate to be involved in golf throughout my life and have always enjoyed being able to give something back to the game. I look forward to representing the club and playing my part in continuing its great tradition of supporting golf.”

José María Olazábal
(Getty Images)

José María Olazábal, said, “I am thrilled and extremely proud to become an Honorary Member of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

“Winning The R&A’s amateur championships and the Silver Medal in The Open were huge achievements for me and gave me a tremendous boost in the early stages of my career. It is a privilege to follow in the footsteps of so many of golf’s great champions in becoming part of the Club’s celebrated history.”

Keith Macintosh, Captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, said, “I am very pleased to welcome Bridget Jackson and José María Olazábal as Honorary Members of the Club.

“Bridget has graced the game for many years as a fine amateur golfer and exceptional administrator, while José María is one of golf’s outstanding champions and has achieved notable success throughout his career as a player and as Ryder Cup captain. Both of them thoroughly deserve this recognition.”

Born in Birmingham, England in 1936, Jackson won the Girls’ British Open Amateur Championship in 1954 and two years later triumphed in the English Ladies Closed Championship and German Ladies Championship. She won the Canadian Ladies Championship in 1967.

Initially included as a reserve in the GB&I team for the 1958 Curtis Cup against the United States, the withdrawal of Philomena Garvey led to Jackson playing in the match for the first time, which was tied 4½ - 4½, at Brae Burn. Jackson would also play for GB&I in the Curtis Cup in 1964 and 1968, and the Vagliano Trophy match against the Continent of Europe on four occasions. In 1973 and 1975, she was the non-playing captain of winning GB&I teams in the Vagliano Trophy.

In 1964, Jackson was selected as playing captain by England to play in the first ever Espirito Santo Trophy at the World Amateur Team Championships, winning a bronze medal. She also won the Home Internationals with England on six occasions.

Following a successful playing career, Jackson became a talented golf administrator and was chair of the English Ladies Golf Association from 1971-72 and President from 1993-95. She became President of the Ladies’ Golf Union in 1998 and subsequently an Honorary Vice-President. She has also been President of Handsworth Golf Club and Royal St David’s Golf Club.

Born in Fuenterrabia, Spain in 1966, Olazábal made an early impression as an amateur golfer, winning the Italian Open Amateur Championship, Spanish Open Amateur Championship and Boys Amateur Championship at Glenbervie in 1983. The following season, aged 18, the Spaniard defeated Colin Montgomerie 5&4 in the 36-hole final of The Amateur Championship at Formby and successfully defended the Spanish Amateur title. A year later he won the Silver Medal as the leading amateur in The Open at Royal St George's and the British Youths Open Amateur Championship at Ganton. That makes Olazábal the only amateur golfer to have won all of the R&A medals for which he was eligible to compete.

Olazábal also represented the Continent of Europe in both the St Andrews Trophy (1984) and Jacques Leglise Trophy (1981, 82, 83) international matches against Great Britain and Ireland.

Joining the professional ranks in 1986, he finished second behind close friend Severiano Ballesteros in the European Tour Order of Merit, and repeated the feat three years later. He went on to win 23 tournaments on the European Tour. He would also win on the PGA Tour six times and twice on the Japan Golf Tour.

Olazábal secured his first Major Championship in 1994 after winning the Masters with a nine-under-par total, two strokes ahead of American Tom Lehman. In doing so, he became the only winner of The Amateur Championship in the post-war era to win a Major Championship, a record that still stands. Five years later, he won his second Masters title.

Between 1987 and 2006, Olazábal made seven appearances for Europe in the Ryder Cup, winning on three occasions. He went on to captain Europe in the ‘Miracle of Medinah’ match in 2012 when the team, facing a 10 – 6 deficit on the final day, rallied in the singles matches to win 14½ – 13½ against the United States.  

THE LADIES’ GOLF UNION AND THE R&A COMPLETE MERGER

19 December 2016, St Andrews, Scotland

The merger of the Ladies’ Golf Union (LGU) and The R&A has been finalised and will come into effect from 1 January 2017.
The heads of agreement between the two organisations was signed in June leading to the integration of the LGU’s business operations and its members of staff into The R&A group of companies. An agreed governance structure has also been implemented to give LGU Board members representation on relevant R&A Committees.
The R&A will assume responsibility for staging the LGU’s championships and international matches next year, offering leading women’s professional and elite amateur golfers opportunities to play in a world class series of events. The Ricoh Women’s British Open will continue to be managed by IMG in 2017 under the existing agreement with the LGU.

Trish Wilson, Chair of the LGU, said, “The completion of the merger is a progressive and important step for the development of women’s golf.
“Bringing the two organisations together creates a platform that will allow us to develop our aspirations for women’s golf on a global stage and encourage more girls and women to play golf and become members of clubs.
“The success of the Ricoh Women’s British Open and the Curtis Cup demonstrates the growing strength of women’s golf in both the professional and amateur game and we look forward to building on this with The R&A.”
 
Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “The integration of the two organisations puts us in a better, stronger position to realise our collective vision for growing the game of golf around the world.
“Our combined resources and staff expertise will help us to achieve our shared aims for the development of golf, including increasing girls’ and women’s participation and encouraging more families to enjoy golf as a recreational activity.
“Both organisations have an excellent track record of successfully staging prestigious championships and international matches and we are looking forward to a great season of events next year.”

More information, including the 2017 Championship Schedule

Leona Maguire wins Mark McCormack Medal for second year in a row

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE R and A

 Ireland’s Leona Maguire has won the Mark H McCormack Medal for the second consecutive year as the leading women’s player in the 2016 World Amateur Golf Ranking™ (WAGR™).

Maguire will compete for Ireland in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games this week and speaking from Brazil she said she was delighted to win the prestigious medal once again.

“It is a huge honour for me to win the Mark H McCormack medal again this year,” said Maguire.

 “I am incredibly grateful to my family, my coach Shane O'Grady, the Irish Ladies Golf Union and the Confederation of Golf in Ireland and everyone at Duke University. Without their support and help this would not be possible.

“This year has been great for me so far and winning the McCormack Medal makes it even more special. I am so excited to compete and represent my country in the Olympics this week and earning the medal gives me extra confidence, given how strong amateur golf is right now, as I prepare for the event.”

Maguire played a significant role in Great Britain and Ireland’s Curtis Cup win against the USA at Dun Laoghaire GC, Ireland n June, contributing four points to the 11½-8½ victory. It was her third appearance on the GB and I team.

Last month, she won the Smyth Salver as the leading amateur at the Ricoh Women's British Open at Woburn, in a tie for 25^th place, and she also played in the U.S. Women’s Open at CordeValle.

During the 2015-16 season, the Irishwoman picked up a number of individual honours, including Irish Independent Young Sport Star of the Year and Irish Golf Writers' Women's Amateur of the Year in 2015.

The 21-year-old won the Ruth's Chris Tar Heel Invite in late 2015 after winning three times earlier in the season, including the ACC Championship and medallist honours at the NCAA South Bend Regional.

 Maguire, in just two seasons at Duke, ranks in the top ten in school history in wins, even or under-par rounds, tournaments as Duke’s top scorer and rounds in the 60s.

For the second year in a row, she was selected for the Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) All-Region squads, the Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) All-America first team and the 2015-16 Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) All-American Scholars Team, which recognises academic as well as athletic excellence.

Following the Olympic Games, in the autumn, Maguire will take part in Qualifying School for the LPGA Tour. As long as she remains an amateur she will receive an exemption into the Ricoh Women's British Open and the U.S. Women’s Open in 2017.

The R&A and United States Golf Association (USGA) award recognises Maguire’s outstanding performances this year and is named after Mark H McCormack, who founded sports marketing company IMG and was a great supporter of amateur golf.

Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Executive Director – Championships at The R and A, said, “For Leona to win the Mark H McCormack Medal for a second year running is an outstanding achievement and I would like to congratulate her on another tremendous season. To consistently deliver excellent results over two years requires real dedication and commitment. She is a hugely talented golfer who is a worthy winner of the award.”

John Bodenhamer, USGA Senior Managing Director, Championships and Governance, said, “The USGA salutes Leona Maguire for winning the McCormack Medal for the second consecutive year, which puts her in nearly the same company as Lydia Ko, who won in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

”It certainly illustrates the high calibre of her play over an extended period of time, at the NCAA or Curtis Cup levels and even in professional events. Clearly, she has earned her distinction.”

The World Amateur Golf Ranking^TM which is supported by Rolex, was established in 2007 when the men’s ranking was launched. The men’s ranking encompasses more than 2,300 counting events, ranking more than 6,500 players from 101 countries worldwide. 

The women’s ranking was launched in 2011 and has a calendar of more than 1,320 counting events with over 3,190 ranked players from 72 countries worldwide.

STATEMENT FROM THE R&A ON ANNOUNCEMENT 

AT ROYAL TROON

A spokesman for The R&A:

“We welcome this decision by the membership at Royal Troon and recognise its significance for the club.

“Our focus today is very much on The 145^th Open in just under two weeks’ time but we can now look forward to many more great Championships at Royal Troon in years to come."

R and A Foundation Scholars Tournament 2016

Tee times for Tuesday's Round 3 (final)
Old Course, St Andrews
09:10 
HOLDEN, Hannah Sheffield 89 45 134
CHALMERS, Craig Strathclyde 82 42 124 
09:20 
GOBBATO, Andrea Spain 84 39 123
BYERS, Conor Southampton 87 36 123 
9:30 
THOMPSON, Robbie Bournemouth 77 44 121
JOHNSTON, James Strathclyde 78 42 120
CARRICK, Angus Stirling 76 43 119 
09:40 
SUTHERLAND, Jamie Queens 80 38 118
CUNNIFFE, Eoin Bournemouth 77 40 117
SMITH, Eugene Maynooth University 80 37 117 
09:50
NEIL, Connor Abertay 77 39 116
BURN, Steven Northumbria 75 40 115
GREVILLE, Nia Stirling 80 40 120 
10:00 
TOMLINSON, Henry Stirling 77 38 115
LOCKETT, Megan Birmingham 81 39 120
BACON, Matthew Birmingham 78 37 115
10:10 
LOW, Christopher Abertay 75 39 114
SAXTON, Jennifer Stirling 78 41 119
MORRIS, Bethan Cardiff 78 41 119 
10:20 
STEEDMAN, Ross Maynooth University 76 38 114
BRAIN, Miranda St Andrews 80 39 119
ROONEY, James Edge Hill 74 39 113 
10:30 
HAYES, Matthew Northumbria 75 38 113
PASTOR, Victor Spain 76 37 113
HEREDIA, Juan Miguel Durham 76 37 113 
10:40 
GOADBY, Chloe Stirling 80 38 118
DAWSON, Robin Maynooth University 72 40 112
SHELLEY, Jack Liverpool John Moores 73 39 112 
10:50 
BATTY, Gemma Stirling 77 40 117
MACTAGGART, Tara Stirling 77 40 117
SEXTON, Sinéad Stirling 78 39 117 
11:00 
MACLEAN, Christopher Stirling 76 36 112
O'CONNOR, Kieron Loughborough 73 38 111
STONE, Sophie Exeter 77 39 116 
11:10 
EDGAR, Colin Stirling 75 36 111
BURNS, George St Andrews 76 35 111
McCARRON, Kyle Maynooth University 72 38 110 
11:20 
HAU, Delon South Wales 74 36 110
BEASLEY, Thomas St Andrews 74 36 110
HERBAUT, Anyssia France 78 37 115 
11:30 
GLENN, James Durham 75 35 110
MICHEL, Lukas Austria 75 35 110
GREHAN, Stuart Maynooth University 77 33 110 
11:40 
LOWRY, Alan Maynooth University 73 36 109
WILSON, James A Stirling 73 36 109
ROSS, Jessica Queens 77 37 114 
11:50 
GLEESON, Alex UCD 71 37 108
DAVIES, Bronwyn Myerscough 78 35 113
REIDY , Declan Sligo 72 35 107 
12:00 
HOWARD, Mike Edinburgh 71 35 106
FLANAGAN, Sean Maynooth University 71 34 105
BRIGGS, Eilidh Stirling 75 35 110 
12:10  
LEON, Gonzalo St Andrews 72 33 105
MULLARNEY, Ronan Maynooth University 68 36 104
RYAN, Chloe Dublin 72 36 108 
12:20 
HOWIE, Craig Stirling 70 33 103
WILSON, Andrew Northumbria 71 32 103
EGGENBERGER, Mathias Stirling 67 34 101