SOUTHPORT, England — It’s only a slight exaggeration to say that no news is good news when it comes tournament organizers formally speaking with the media at major championships. (Just ask the USGA and Mike Davis how it worked out last week at the U.S. Women’s Open). In that sense, R&A CEO Martin Slumbers, along with colleagues Clive Brown, chair of the Championship Committee, and Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, executive director championships, made it through fairly unscathed on Wednesday when answering question less than 24 hours before the start of the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
That’s not to say that nothing of import was discussed. Slumbers said that the R&A stands by the USGA’s position regarding the recent questions about the anchored putting stroke and whether the 2016 rules change is being applied properly.
“I know there’s been some comment about it being subjective, but we actually think it’s very clear, the statement that’s in the decision and the rule about it,” Slumbers said. “If the discussion around the methodology of the relevant players we’ve been talking about has been looked at extremely carefully by our governance people and our rules officials, as well as our colleagues in the United States and on the tour. We are all very comfortable the rule is being abided by for those players.”
Slumbers also acknowledged that driving distance numbers at the pro level have increased in the last 18 months, and potentially would be something to look at come the end of the year.
“We are watching this, and it is moving,” Slumbers told Golf World after the press conference. “If it continues, I do feel that it’s very important that the game together works out the right solution and the right question to be answered.”
So what options might be considered? Slumbers said there are a number on the table—including bifurcation of the rules, something that USGA officials have balked at previously.
“When we look at all the options we’ve got, it will have to be one of the options we look at,” Slumbers said. “Whether that’s the right thing to do, who knows yet. Up to date, we’ve had a view of one set of playing rules, one set of equipment rules, and I think that’s served our game extremely well. We must make sure we get the skill and technology right as a balance for the good of the overall game. Getting more people to play is what drives me and gets me up in the morning.”