Back to the Top News Newsfeed

British Open officials draw line at hitting over grandstands

SOUTHPORT, England (AP) Jason Day’s caddie presented British Open officials with an interesting option on the par-4 ninth hole at Royal Birkdale. Colin Swatton wondered about hitting a tee shot onto the adjacent 10th fairway for a shorter, clearer shot into the green.

The R&A responded with an invisible white line in the turf.

In a decision aimed primarily at spectator safety, R&A chief rules director David Rickman issued a notice of a local rule for the week: ”When playing the ninth hole only, a ball on or beyond the 10th fairway (defined by the edge of the closely-mown area) is out of bounds.