Oakmont Country Club. A historic and classic venue for the playing of the 116th United States Open. The stage would provide multiple storylines throughout the course of the week and in a way, become one itself. Players battled. Birdies were cheered. The dreaded ‘others’ met with gasps from the viewing patrons.
With green speeds rolling in excess of 14 on the Stimpmeter, declaring the greens were fast was akin to calling ice cold. Thanks for the memo, Captain Obvious. Oakmonts greens, however, didn’t need to be rolling at a 14 to challenge the world’s best. The extra speed was purely the icing on the already exceedingly difficult test.
Dustin Johnson, the cool cowboy, was cruising along in his final round when it happened. He took two gentle practice strokes, began to move the putter behind the ball, and quickly moved the putter away from the ball as it rolled backwards roughly the width of a dimple.
Quickly bringing in an official, Dustin made his case that he didn’t cause the ball to move. The official, ruling on the information provided to him, instructed Dustin to play the ball as it was, and move along – no penalty. The golf world breathed a sigh of relief and we went on to the drama of a major championship back 9.
Then the unthinkable occurred. The USGA, in all its infinite wisdom, informed Dustin that his putt was under review and that it was possible he may be assessed an additional one stroke penalty. Maybe. We’re not sure. Thanks for clearing that one up. The debacle continued for the next 5 holes but in the end, it was all for not. Dustin marched onward and ensured his victory would not hang in the balance on a single penalty stroke.
What happened in the scoring trailer, however, is a matter of great concern for golfers of any cloth. Dustin was assigned a penalty. Remember, he told the roving official that he hadn’t caused the ball to move, and the official ruled that to be the case. The USGA, in assessing the penalty afterwards, was essentially calling its 116th champion, a liar.
In a game deeply rooted in integrity and honesty, the USGA has done what no one golfer could possibly do to tarnish our sport. They’ve instilled doubt as to the ability of golfers to self-police themselves. No longer is it considered sufficient for a player’s word to be the final say. Now it must be reviewed, interpreted, analyzed, and ruled upon. Something changed that Sunday at Oakmont and it wasn’t change for the better.