ANNIKA'S PLIGHT AT THE U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN

Annika Sorenstam was the center of attention on the last hole of the final round at the 2003 U.S. Women’s Open at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club. Feeling in command of her abilities, Sorenstam decided to go for the green in two at the closing par 5. After her wayward shot to the right of the green, she found herself stymied by a scoreboard located about 65 yards short and right of the 18th green.

In the Rules of Golf, such an object is named a Temporary Immovable Obstruction (TIO). Under Appendix I of the Rules of Golf, Sorenstam was permitted to take relief from the TIO because of two types of interference:

Annika’s ball was so close to the obstruction that it interfered with the player’s stance and/or area of intended swing. In addition, her ball was so close to the obstruction that the scoreboard intervened directly between her ball and the hole.

As a result, Sorenstam determined her nearest point of relief so that the scoreboard did not interfere with her stance or area of intended swing and so she could draw a straight line from her ball to the hole. Sorenstam proceeded to drop within one club-length of her nearest point of relief.

In an attempt to improve her position to obtain relief for her line of play, Sorenstam wisely consulted a rules official. However, Kendra Graham of the USGA was composed, and she issued a definitive ruling, although the details took a long time to collect.

For other questions on the Rules of Golf, check out the other articles in NOGA's USGA Rules Corner! Play well, and get to know the Rules of Golf!