MASTERS PREVIEW
Ilroy of the penalty because he said he was only trying to tidy the sand, which is allowed under the Rules of Golf. ROBERTO DE VICENZO , 17TH HOLE, FINAL ROUND, 1968 In what is the all-time Masters’ rules gaffe, a final-round scoring mistake overshadowed one of the greatest duels in Masters history. On his 45th birth- day, Roberto De Vicenzo eagled the first hole, turned in 31 and, even with a bogey on 18, shot a 65. However, his playing partner, Tom- my Aaron, wrote down a par for his score on the 17th instead of the birdie he made. After the round, De Vicenzo signed for the 66 instead of a 65. Mean- while, in the following group, Bob Goal- by, who began the day a stroke ahead of De Vicenzo, birdied 13 and 14 and ea- gled 15 for a 66 and a one-shot victory. There should have been a playoff. In- stead, when you sign for a higher score than you actually make, the higher score stands (now Rule 3.3). Goalby put on the green jacket, and De Vicenzo was left to utter one of the most famous quotes in golf history: “What a stupid I am.” The PGA Tour enacted a Local Rule in 2024 that provides 15 minutes of ex- tra time to correct scorecard errors. If used at the Masters in ’68, would that have changed golf history?
NEAT OR ANGRY? Rory McIlroy said he was only trying to tidy a bunker in 2009.
would have been disqualified if that was true, because McIlroy signed his scorecard without the penalty adjust- ment. His actions were called into question and he was summoned back to Augusta National to review video and provide an explanation. The club released a statement exonerating Mc-
making par. He said he would let the committee decide which counted for his score. Venturi contended Palmer played the second ball incorrectly – that it needed to be done concurrently. By the time Palmer reached the 15th hole, the ruling came down that his second-ball score of par would stand. He went on to win his first major by a stroke over Fred Hawkins and Doug Ford. Venturi finished two back. Years later, Palmer said he had told Lacey he was going to play a second ball, but Lacey wouldn’t let him. The wording of the rule in 1958 left the tournament committee with enough latitude to let his actions stand. Their statement: “Should the competitor fail to announce in advance his procedure or selection, the score with the second ball shall be his score if played in accor- dance with the rules.” RORY MCILROY, 18TH HOLE, SECOND ROUND, 2009 After leaving a bunker shot in the sand on the par-4 finishing hole, McIlroy appeared to have kicked the sand in frustration (a two-stroke penalty). He
DOH! Roberto De Vicenzo ( above left ) lost the Masters after signing an incorrect scorecard.
60 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
MARCH/APRIL 2025
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