The PGA Tour has announced that it is fully opposed to the proposed ban on using anchored putters.
PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem outlined the association’s position on the controversial proposals during an interview at the WGC Match play Championship at Dove Mountain, Arizona. Matt Kuchar won the tournament by beating defending champion Hunter Mahan in Sunday’s final
Finchem commented that the PGA Tour opposes the ban as there is not sufficient evidence to suggest that golfers gain an advantage through the use of long putters or belly putters.
The US Golf Association and Royal & Ancient Golf Club are the advocates for the proposed ban and announced the rule change on November 28th, offering a 90-day comment period. Finchem voiced the PGA’s stance after conducting their own research into anchored putters.
“We [the PGA Tour] undertook to go through a process to determine our position [on anchored putting strokes] and we [came] to a conclusion last week.” Finchem commented on Sunday. ”Essentially, where the PGA Tour came down was that [we] did not think that banning anchoring was in the best interest of golf or the PGA Tour.”
Interestingly, Finchem also confirmed that there was strong opposition to the ban from players, with 13 of the 15 on the PGA’s advisory council opposing the ban.
A USGA statement read: “We continue to listen to varying points of view and have had many productive conversations across the golf community, which is a reminder of just how much people care about the game, regardless of their position on this issue. It is our plan to take final action on the proposed rule in the spring.”
It will be interesting to see how the USGA and R & A decide to act in Spring 2013 with regard the proposed ban, following the PGA’s public opposition. An unwanted public divide could be on the horizon.
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