Billy Horschel had to wait for Thriston Lawrence to mark and lift his ball to avoid a potential backstop scenario in the BMW PGA play-off
FROM THE TOUR
BALL ACTING AS POSSIBLE BACKSTOP
The BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth is always a highlight of the golfing calendar, and the 2024 offering was no exception. Thriston Lawrence, Rory McIlroy and Billy Horschel all tied at 20-under-par, leading to a play-off to find the champion, which served up an interesting ruling.
Lawrence’s approach shot finished around 4ft from the hole. For Horschel’s upcoming bunker shot, the ball was in a position almost directly behind the cup, close to the water. Under the Rules, a player who reasonably believes a ball at rest on the putting green might help anyone’s play (e.g., by serving as a possible backstop) can require the ball to be marked and lifted. The walking Rules Official, following an approach from McIlroy, asked Horschel to refrain from playing until the ball had been marked,