Cameron Smith’s quest for Number one thwarted
Cameron Smith – file photo
Cameron Smith’s quest to win the FedEx St Jude Championship in Memphis and climb to the number one ranking in the world was thwarted before it even started today when he was advised he had incurred a two-shot penalty dating back to yesterday’s third round.
At the 4th hole, Smith had hit his tee shot into the penalty area and took a drop but when he did so his ball was still touching the red line which delineated the penalty area.
Initially rules officials had seen the situation but had decided not to pursue it as camera angles were inconclusive however on further investigation on Sunday morning and after interviewing Smith it was determined an indiscretion had incurred.
As written by the PGA Tour’s website it was the PGA Tour’s Gary Young who was left with the task of talking with Smith and advising him of a possible indiscretion.
“Young found Smith in the clubhouse about an hour before his 12:30 p.m. tee time for the final round and asked him about the incident. When Smith told Young that, yes, the ball had been touching the line, the penalty was assessed. Smith would not have been penalized if he told Young that he believed his ball was outside the penalty area.
“I thought it was simply going to be a situation where I asked (Cameron) the question and he was going to tell me that he was comfortable that his ball was outside the penalty area,” Young said. “When I asked him the question, unfortunately, he said to me, ‘No, the ball was definitely touching the line.’ So at that point there’s no turning back.”
Young described Smith’s reaction to the penalty as “very calm, very matter of fact.”
“His answer to me was, ‘The rules are the rules,’” Young said.”
Smith understandably found the penalty a distraction and despite a birdie at the first, struggled for much of his round, slipping from a share of 5th and just two shots from the 54 hole lead to finish around 13th although, given the circumstances, he showed a lot of courage to record a final round of even par 70.
Adam Scott led the Australians when he finished in a share of 5th with a final round of 66 and has moved inside the all important top 70 and into the field for next week’s BMW Championship in Delaware.
“What’s satisfying” asked Scott when repeating that very question. “Getting through I guess ultimately, but I played really poorly yesterday and somehow shot a decent score and to turn it around and play solid today and give myself a chance to go through, I’m happy with that. I get to play four rounds next week.
“And my golf’s been pretty good and I’ve got nothing out of it. I feel even though I’m not winning this event, I feel like I’m getting something out of the week, so hopefully that’s good for the confidence going into next week and somehow have a big week and get through to East Lake.”
Cameron Davis tied with Smith for a share of 13th and he too is in the field next week as is Marc Leishman who finished 64th this week but sneaks inside the top 70 in 68th position.
Lucas Hebert missed the cut this week but is assured of a place in next week’s field in 54th position in the standings.
