Home / Sports / Golf's Bunker Rule: PGA Star Calls Penalty 'Stupid'
Golf's Bunker Rule: PGA Star Calls Penalty 'Stupid'
13 Aug
Summary
- PGA Tour winner Michael Kim criticized the two-stroke penalty for an unplayable bunker shot.
- Larrazábal's 2019 bunker shot required a two-stroke penalty for a difficult escape.
- The USGA defends the rule, stating it offers extra relief options to players.
A recent viral clip of golfer Pablo Larrazábal facing a deeply plugged bunker lie in 2019 has reignited a debate over golf's penalty rules. PGA Tour player Michael Kim expressed his frustration, deeming the two-stroke penalty for declaring a ball unplayable in a bunker "stupid." He contrasted this with lesser penalties for other course infractions.
Kim's criticism focuses on Rule 19.3, which allows players three relief options from an unplayable bunker lie for one penalty stroke. However, two options require the ball to remain in the bunker, potentially leading to another difficult lie. The back-on-the-line relief, offering a cleaner escape, incurs a total two-stroke penalty.
The USGA and R&A have defended the rule, asserting that the extra stroke compensates for the additional relief granted. This measure aims to prevent players from facing disqualification in extreme situations. This is not the first time golf's rules have drawn player scrutiny, with Larrazábal himself previously questioning relief rules for divots.
