“Shouldn’t be penalised retrospectively” – Former golfer Thomas Bjorn supports Cameron Smith after PGA Tour penalized World No. 2


“Shouldn’t be penalised retrospectively” – Former golfer Thomas Bjorn supports Cameron Smith after PGA Tour penalized World No. 2

Thomas Bjorn and Cameron Smith

Ace Aussie golfer Cameron Smith must consider himself unlucky to be assessed a two-stroke penalty by the PGA for “improper placement of the ball” while taking relief on the 4th hole of Saturday’s third round at the FedEx St. Jude Championships. 

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Meanwhile, the former Danish golfer Thomas Bjorn has come to the defence of the LIV-linked player after he was penalised for two shots. Following this, the World No. 2, who eventually finished T-13 on 9-under par, six strokes back of America’s Will Zalatoris. 

The conspiracy theorists were out in full force after the kangaroo golfer was docked two shots before his final round of the tournament owing to his reported contact with the rebel league. However, the Brisbane native Smith handled the situation like “a gentleman” and completely owned up to the fact his golf ball was on the line of the penalty area after he smashed his tee shot into the water at the par-3 fourth hole.

Bjorn tweeted: “Once a round has finished there should be only disqualification available for deliberate rules infringements. The Cam Smith situation was not deliberate and therefore he shouldn’t be penalised retrospectively. I’m probably wrong in this opinion, not the first time….”

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PGA Tour explains the controversial ‘Cameron Smith incident’

Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith

During an interaction with Golf Magic, PGA Tour chief referee Gary Young explained the incident in detail and what the rules say:

“[It was a] crazy morning, unfortunate situation for Cam Smith.

“During Round 3 of play on the 4th hole, we had a situation where we had noticed that Cam had hit a ball into the penalty area, left of the green.

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“When we came back to the live action, we saw him playing a shot from down there and it looked like his ball was awfully close to the line but we felt comfortable that the player knew enough that he couldn’t play a ball that was touching the line of the penalty area. 

“He wasn’t aware that no portion of the ball could be touching the penalty area line. He thought that if a portion of the ball was in the general area of the course that he was safe to play it.”

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