Neither Tiger Woods nor Masters officials emerged with much credit after a messy resolution to the controversial “penalty drop” affair that sparked widespread debate in the golfing world.

World number one Woods, overwhelming favorite to win a fifth green jacket at Augusta National this week, was spared the ignominy of disqualification when the rules committee decided to exercise leniency over his infringement in the second round.

Instead of sending the 14-times champion packing for taking an illegal drop at the par-five 15th after his third shot on Friday had ended up in water, they opted to slap him with a two-stroke penalty.

Fred Ridley, chairman of the Masters competition committee, defended the decision, saying that Woods had been cleared of any wrong-doing after a video review before the American had completed his round.

However, Woods then muddied the waters during his post-round interview when he described in detail how he had gone “two yards further back” for his drop in order to create a better shot.

His admission forced Ridley and company to summon the world number one to Augusta National on Saturday morning to explain his thinking but, at that stage, a disqualification was no longer on the cards.

“We had made a decision before he finished his round … and I think he’s entitled to be protected by 33-7,” Ridley said, referring to rule that allows a player to stay in a tournament if an infringement is based on television evidence.

“That’s our decision, and others agree with us.”

However, there are two big problems here.

First, Woods clearly violated Rule 26-1, which requires a player to drop the ball “as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played”, and in most instances that would lead to a DQ.

Several leading players and angered fans populated Twitter-verse on Saturday saying that Woods should have been ousted from the tournament and that his status as the game’s top draw had almost certainly saved him.

PGA Tour player Kyle Thompson tweeted: “I guess Tiger is BIGGER than golf. Any other person in the world gets DQ’d. Gotta keep those TV ratings going right?”

There were many calls for Woods to follow the honorable route by falling on his sword and pulling out of the Masters, a move that would have earned him widespread respect in golf as well as a much-needed PR boost.

REPUTATION BUILDING

Though comfortably the greatest player of his generation, Woods has never been a warm figure adored by the fans and is still rebuilding a reputation battered by the revelations of his sordid extra-marital affairs just over three years ago.

Had Woods decided to withdraw from one of the game’s biggest events following his unfortunate brush with the rules, he would have earned high praise for living up to golf’s valued reputation for honesty and sportsmanship.

Six-times major champion Nick Faldo told Golf Channel: “Our rules are black and white: That is a breach of the rules. Simple as that. He has to sit down quietly and think about this – the mark this will leave on his career, his legacy.”

Former world number one David Duval, who has established a reputation for carefully considered opinions since opening a Twitter account, tweeted: “Was there intent to break the rule is the question? I think he should WD. He took a drop to gain an advantage.”

There have been several instances over the years of players penalizing, or even disqualifying, themselves.

American Jeff Sluman was two strokes off the lead after the second round of the 1996 Bay Hill Invitational when he withdrew following confusion over what he initially thought was a legal drop at the 17th hole after hitting his ball into water.

The following day, he went out on a cart with a rules official to the same spot and, when neither man could be sure of the legality, Sluman immediately disqualified himself from the tournament.

Just as Woods erred with his drop, an apparently innocent mistake as he mixed up the rule for shot-and-distance relief with line-of-sight relief, so too Masters officials blundered by not speaking to the world number one on Friday.

“There’s not a day that goes by that there are not some things I wish I would have done differently,” Ridley replied when asked if he should have spoken to Woods before his committee made its initial decision during the second round.

However, Ridley refuted any suggestion that Woods could have received preferential treatment, saying: “All I can say is that unequivocally this tournament is about integrity.

“Our founder Bobby Jones was about integrity, and if this had been John Smith from wherever, he would have gotten the same ruling, because again, it is the right ruling under these circumstances.”

It most certainly did not help that the Masters is the only one of the four majors that does not assign rules officials to every group. Rules officials sit on carts at various points around the course and advise players only when summoned.

Reprieved by Rule 33-7, which only came into effect two years ago, Woods survives and remains in contention at the 77th Masters.

Should he go on to win his first major title since the 2008 U.S. Open, however, for many that triumph will be tainted and highlighted with an asterisk.

(Editing by Gene Cherry)

The post Analysis: Tiger drop controversy: a shabby Masters compromise appeared first on Metro.us.

Tiger Woods again found himself at the center of controversy and a target of Twitter-verse on Saturday when he avoided disqualification from the Masters after taking an illegal drop in the second round.

While golf’s rules are clear that a disqualification was in order, Woods escaped with a two-shot penalty even after admitting in his post-round interview on Friday that he failed to drop his ball as close as possible to the original spot after it ended up in water at the par-five 15th.

Social media immediately exploded to life as golf fans, Woods’ fellow players and even the 14-times major champion himself contributed to the debate.

Anger was directed at both Woods and Masters officials for the ham-handed way in which they handled the entire episode, many upset at a perceived double standard with one set of rules for Woods and another set for everyone else.

The day before, China’s 14-year-old amateur Guan Tianlang was assessed a one-stroke penalty for slow play during the second round.

“The rules of golf are clear. Tiger took an incorrect drop so there’s only one outcome. Guan Tianlang will have to be disqualified,” chided BBC sports correspondent Andrew Cotter on Twitter.

Many urged Woods, who entered the year’s first major as the hot favorite to claim a fifth green jacket, to fall on his sword and disqualify himself from the tournament, adding some polish to a still badly tainted image.

But Woods seemed to defuse any such suggestion when he took to Twitter to give his own view of what had happened.

“I was unaware at that time I had violated any rules. I didn’t know I had taken an incorrect drop prior to signing my scorecard,” Woods tweeted.

“Subsequently, I met with the Masters committee Saturday morning and was advised they had reviewed the incident prior to the completion of my round.

“Their initial determination was that there was no violation, but they had additional concerns based on my post-round interview.

“After discussing the situation with them this morning, I was assessed a two-shot penalty. I understand and accept the penalty and respect the committee’s decision.”

WOODS’ AID

Fred Ridley, chairman of the Masters competition committee, also came to Woods’ aid on Twitter as he explained the reasoning behind the decision which allowed the world number one to remain in the tournament.

“The penalty of disqualification was waived by the committee under Rule 33 as the committee had previously reviewed the information and made its initial determination prior to the finish of the player’s round,” tweeted Ridley.

That explanation did little to calm the building storm on Twitter.

“This is a joke. In my opinion anyone else would have been DQ’d. When you sign for the wrong score that’s what’s supposed to happen,” said Irish golfer Shane Lowry.

Angela Stanford, one of the top players on the women’s LPGA Tour, added: “If I tell a rules official I wanted 2 more yards, I’m on my way to Dairy Queen for a blizzard.”

Woods ended play on Saturday at three-under but, after the two-stroke setback, will start the third round at one-under, five back of leader Jason Day of Australia.

As it became clear that Woods would continue his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus’s record of 18 majors, the conversation veered towards the American’s eventual legacy which could be irrevocably tainted if he were to come back and win.

“Tiger is the judge and jury on this. He said he moved the ball back two yards to gain the right yardage,” Faldo, a six-time major winner, told Golf Channel.

“The rule clearly states he has to drop it as near as possible. Our rules are black and white: That is a breach of the rules. Simple as that.

“He has to sit down quietly and think about this – the mark this will leave on his career, his legacy.”

As always, many in the Twitter-verse were not taking the decision with the same gravity.

“85% of all golfers are taking illegal drops, hug for u tiger” tweeted former Major League Baseball home run king and self-confessed drug cheat Jose Canseco.

The post Tiger Woods back in another Twitter storm appeared first on Metro.us.

If you’re going to be (to use a phrase) “playing the field” when you’re one of the most recognizable athletes in the world, it is probably better to take the Michael Phelps route than the Tiger Woods way.

Phelps is single and doesn’t seem to want to be married anytime soon. He seems to have a new girlfriend every week. Sometimes he even recycles them. The NY Post reported this week that he is back to hanging out with ex-girlfriend Caroline Pal. Just last month, Metro dished on Phelps dating waitress Sarah Herndon (don’t laugh, apparently she can remember orders of up to four without writing it down … she’s that talented). But a month in Phelps’ dating world is a decade for everyone else.

Then there is Tiger. Woods made off-course news last week when it was officially revealed that he was dating famed skier Lindsey Vonn. Just a few days later, he regained his status as the No. 1 golfer in the world (that will ring hollow unless he’s around on Sunday at Augusta in a couple of weeks).

The problem here is that Woods seems ready to climb back into serious relationships. No, Tiger. That doesn’t work for you. You know it. We know it. The Perkins’ waitress knows it.

Good to see Phil Knight is still a scumbag after all these years. We were getting worried there for a minute, Philip.

Follow Metro Boston sports editor and columnist Matt Burke on Twitter: @BurkeMetroBOS

The post Playing the Field: Michael Phelps is better at dating than Tiger Woods appeared first on Metro.us.

Tiger Woods is back on top of the golf world — officially, that is.

Woods claimed the title at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Monday morning in a rain delayed final round. Woods shot a 2-under 70 in his final 18, bogeying the last hole. But he had built a three-stroke lead on second-place finisher Justin Rose by that point. He finished the tournament at 13-under par.

But more so than the $1,116,000 he took for the top spot, the win closed his ascension to the No. 1 spot atop the world golf rankings. He last held that spot in October 2010, a year after news broke of his infidelity with multiple women from across the country. His marriage ended in divorce and he fell as low as No. 58 in the world rankings. He also dealt with multiple leg injuries and surgery on his left knee.

He stole the top spot from Rory McIlroy, who claimed it last August after winning the PGA Championship. McIlroy did not play at Bay Hill and hasn’t competed since the Accenture World Golf Championships on March 10, where he finished in a tie for eighth place.

Woods has three wins on the season, before the first major has even taken place. The Masters, the first major of the PGA season, begins on April 11.

New flame Lindsey Vonn already cryptically congratulated Woods on his accomplishment via Twitter.

Number 1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!

— lindsey vonn (@lindseyvonn) March 25, 2013

The post Tiger Woods wins at Bay Hill, reclaims No. 1 appeared first on Metro.us.

LiLo has her (umpteenth) day in court
Lindsay Lohan was, naturally, late to her latest court appearance yesterday in L.A. She was apparently scared to fly alone. Thankfully, an energy drink company by the name of Mr. Pink hooked her up on the company’s private jet, The Atlantic Wire reported. Upon her arrival at the courthouse, someone threw glitter on the star, kind of like how people throw rice on brides as they exit the church — but we have a feeling this wasn’t as celebratory an occasion.

DAILY GOSSIP: March 19, 2013

George Clooney and Stacy Keibler stepped out hand-in-hand for dinner in Berlin this weekend amid rumors that the couple’s relationship is in trouble, according to E! News. Clooney and Keibler were dressed casually and were joined by Matt Damon, who joined them after dinner at the Soho House. Clooney is in Berlin filming “the Monuments Men.”

Gwyneth Paltrow has been considering having a third child, but one very traumatic experience from the last time she and husband Chris Martin tried — which resulted in a miscarriage, she reveals — is giving her pause. “My children ask me to have a baby all the time. And you never know, I could squeeze one more in. I am missing my third. I’m thinking about it,” the mother of two tells the Mail on Sunday’s You magazine. “But I had a really bad experience when I was pregnant with my third. It didn’t work out and I nearly died. So I am like, ‘Are we good here or should we go back and try again?’”

“Twilight” creator Stephenie Meyer admits she feels some guilt for the circus the lives of stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson have become. “If they had the choice, I’ve no idea if they’d even do ‘Twilight’ again. I just don’t know. I think this has all come at a heavy price,” Meyer tells Britain’s the Times magazine. “I just don’t think they enjoy the parts [of fame] that other people would. And I totally get that, because it would not be my thing either. At the same time — and this is where the guilt comes from — it’s created this nice, peaceful place for me. They took all of my heat, which I feel bad about.”

————————————————————————————————————

DAILY TWITTER UPDATE: March 19, 2013

Checking in with some of Hollywood’s biggest names to see what they’ve been up to — in their own words, in 140 characters or fewer.

Today, Lindsay Lohan is traveling in style, Pamela Anderson has had quite the travel schedule, Elizabeth Hurley is tired of the racket and Dana Delaney is feeling clean enough.

@lindsaylohan
Thanks Mr. Pink for the private jet see you all in a few hours in LA

@PamelaDAnderson
Bye Bye London-Dubai- Luxumbourg-Dusseldorf-Geneva-Basel-London- Missing home-my boys, dogs and the beach

@ElizabethHurley
My parrot Ping Pong is barking loudly, while throwing in the odd ‘Be Quiet’….

@DanaDelaney
I have washed my face at least 41,610 times in my life. Might skip a day.

The post The Word: Please give Lindsey Vonn and Tiger Woods privacy appeared first on Metro.us.

It took a Wilt Chamberlain-esque parade of women for Tiger Woods to figure it all out, but he and we now know that he has a type: white, blonde and athletic.

Woods and women’s downhill skiing champion Lindsey Vonn officially announced what has long been rumored: they are, in fact, dating. Woods announced his relationship status like most famed golfers turned sex fiends always have – on Facebook, at the exact same time as his new flame.

“This season has been great so far and I’m happy with my wins at Torrey and Doral,” Woods wrote. “Something nice that’s happened off the course was meeting Lindsey Vonn. Lindsey and I have been friends for some time, but over the last few months we have become very close and are now dating. We thank you for your support and for respecting our privacy. We want to continue our relationship, privately, as an ordinary couple and continue to compete as athletes.”

Vonn wrote:

“I guess it wasn’t a well-kept secret but yes, I am dating Tiger Woods. Our relationship evolved from a friendship into something moreover these past few months and it has made me very happy. I don’t plan on addressing this further as I would like to keep that part of my life between us, my family and close friends. Thank you for understanding and your continued support! xo LV”

Other than being world-class athletes, we also know that Woods and Vonn have this in common:

The 28-year-old Vonn made headlines just last month when she tore her ACL and MCL in a brutal crash in Austria. Woods tore his ACL in 2008 and hasn’t really been the same since (though that other set-back on Thanksgiving weekend of 2009 may have played a factor as well).

Follow Metro Boston sports editor and columnist Matt Burke on Twitter @BurkeMetroBOS

The post Playing the Field: Tiger Woods has a type, dating Lindsey Vonn appeared first on Metro.us.

President Barack Obama saw firsthand how golf is played at the highest level on Sunday, teeing off with Tiger Woods, the world’s No. 2 golfer who is rebuilding a once-squeaky clean image tarnished by a messy 2010 divorce.

Obama, an avid weekend golfer, and Woods, who won his 75th title last month, played together for the first time at the exclusive Floridian Yacht and Golf Club, which was surrounded by a cordon of security.

“It’s good to see you play well again,” Obama told Woods, according to GolfDigest.com.

Less than a month after starting his second term, Obama is on a three-day golf getaway in Florida, while his wife, Michelle, and their daughters, Malia and Sasha, are skiing in Colorado. On Saturday he received instructional tips from Woods’ former swing coach, Butch Harmon.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Obama and Woods were joined on the course by U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Jim Crane, the resort owner who also owns the Houston Astros baseball team.

Tim Rosaforte, a Golf Channel analyst and Golf Digest writer, broke the news, tweeting that Woods holed out from a greenside sand bunker on the first hole.

“Historic day in golf. Their first round,” Rosaforte said.

There was no word on how Obama played.

Harmon, according to GolfDigest.com, said he saw the interaction between Woods and Obama on the range before teeing off. Obama congratulated Woods on winning the Farmers Insurance Open last month.

“The president said to Tiger, ‘The last tournament you played was fun to watch. It’s good to see you play well again,’” Harmon said.

The White House resisted appeals from reporters to allow the traveling press pool onto the grounds of the resort in order to record some part of the Woods-Obama round. Previous presidents have allowed some press access of presidential golf rounds.

The White House refusal prompted a protest from the White House Correspondents Association.

“Speaking on behalf of the White House Correspondents Association, I can say a broad cross section of our members from print, radio, online and TV have today expressed extreme frustration to me about having absolutely no access to the president of the United States this entire weekend,” said WHCA President Ed Henry, a Fox News correspondent. “There is a very simple but important principle we will continue to fight for today and in the days ahead: transparency.”

The White House said in response that the press access granted was “entirely consistent with the press access offered for previous presidential golf outings” and consistent with the access promised prior to Obama’s arrival in Florida on Friday.

Woods, who usually steers clear of politics, is the top-ranked American golfer and second in the world. He lives about an hour’s drive south of the Floridian club in Jupiter, Florida.

Woods’ image was tarnished after his extramarital affairs with other women came to light in 2009. He and his then-wife Elin Nordegren divorced the following year.

Like many of his predecessors, Obama has escaped the pressures of the Oval Office by taking to the golf course. He has played more than 100 rounds of golf as president and typically tees it up with a group of close-knit friends.

The post In a first, Obama plays golf with Tiger Woods appeared first on Metro.us.