Harrington disqualified over marker incident
Source: Agencies |
January 22, 2011, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
PADRAIG Harrington was disqualified from the Abu Dhabi Championship yesterday for signing an incorrect scorecard after a television viewer noticed the Irishman move his ball a fraction on the seventh green.
The viewer phoned European Tour officials to explain they had spotted Harrington marginally knocking his ball forward on the par-three hole while replacing his marker during Thursday's first round.
The three-time major champion was playing the hole as his 16th having started on the back nine and eventually signed for a 7-under-par 65 to end the first day just a stroke behind leader Charl Schwartzel.
Harrington was therefore considered guilty under the Rules of Golf for signing an incorrect score as he should have called a two-stroke penalty on himself for moving the ball.
"I didn't think it had moved but then I now get three days practice ahead me which is something I will enjoy doing," he laughed as he told reporters. "I had a 20-footer and when I was picking up my coin and I clearly hit my golf ball, as I brushed it with my hand when I was picking up my marker.
"I looked down at the time and I established in the way I line up the golf ball that the ball had moved.
"When you look at TV footage it looks as though the ball rocks forward and then in slow motion its pretty clear the ball has moved three dimples."
Harrington was contacted in his hotel room ahead of meeting European Tour senior referee Andy McFee yesterday morning at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club to look at footage of the incident. McFee revealed he had been aware of the incident late on Thursday and decided to sleep on it rather than bother Harrington.
The incident marked the second occasion in Harringtons career he has been disqualified.
The viewer phoned European Tour officials to explain they had spotted Harrington marginally knocking his ball forward on the par-three hole while replacing his marker during Thursday's first round.
The three-time major champion was playing the hole as his 16th having started on the back nine and eventually signed for a 7-under-par 65 to end the first day just a stroke behind leader Charl Schwartzel.
Harrington was therefore considered guilty under the Rules of Golf for signing an incorrect score as he should have called a two-stroke penalty on himself for moving the ball.
"I didn't think it had moved but then I now get three days practice ahead me which is something I will enjoy doing," he laughed as he told reporters. "I had a 20-footer and when I was picking up my coin and I clearly hit my golf ball, as I brushed it with my hand when I was picking up my marker.
"I looked down at the time and I established in the way I line up the golf ball that the ball had moved.
"When you look at TV footage it looks as though the ball rocks forward and then in slow motion its pretty clear the ball has moved three dimples."
Harrington was contacted in his hotel room ahead of meeting European Tour senior referee Andy McFee yesterday morning at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club to look at footage of the incident. McFee revealed he had been aware of the incident late on Thursday and decided to sleep on it rather than bother Harrington.
The incident marked the second occasion in Harringtons career he has been disqualified.
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