Englishman Brian Davis called a two-stroke penalty on himself Sunday during a play-off with Jim Furyk at the PGA Verizon Heritage Golf Tournament in Hilton Head. His self-admission was confirmed by video replay after he notified a rules official of the suspected error on the first hole of the playoff. His oppenent and rules officials weren't even sure it happend until it was confirmed by video replay. If you think this is small potatoes it's not. Davis honesty cost him his first PGA tour win and over $400,000 in prize money!According to the AP, Davis hit his approach shot on the left edge of the green and the ball found its way into some rocks, grass, twigs and reeds. He called himself out for, "moving a loose impediment during a take away," according to rule 13.4. It was so small they had to use slow motion video to even detect his error.
Even Furyk asked his opponent if he was sure it actually happened. Davis told the rules official he was sure he moved the reeds when he brought the club back and that he had to report it saying, "I could not have lived with myself if I had not." This is what sets golf apart from other sports. The game relies on the honesty and integrity of its players on the course.
Here's to Brian Davis! I hope he gets his first PGA tour win very soon. Thanks Brian for modeling the honesty and integrity of the game.
2 comments:
Class act brother..Both of you.
Class act gentlemen. Both of you taught me today a very valuable virtue. I hope all see this..Most important..God sees...wow!
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