PGA Tour opposes anchoring proposal

During the final day’s telecast for the WGC-Accenture Matchplay Championship in Arizona, PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said the world’s richest golf tour would not be supporting the controversial move on the grounds that there is not enough evidence to suggest that anchoring gives players any sort of advantage.

“We hold the USGA in highest regard as a key part of the game of golf,” said Finchem. “We don’t attempt to denigrate that position in any way whatsoever. It’s just on this issue, we think if they were to move forward they would be making a mistake.”

He went on: “Inn the absence of data or any basis to conclude that there is a competitive advantage to be gained by using anchoring, and given the amount of time that anchoring has been in the game, that there is no overriding reason to go down that road.

“I think we could understand it if for some reason or another … it had negative results for the game of golf. We have to look at it from the standpoint of is it good, bad or indifferent for the game as a whole – professional level, amateur level – and we conclude that it’s not a bad thing.”

The PGA Tour follows the PGA of America in opposing the proposal, which was introduced by the R&A and USGA on November 28.

In announcing the proposed ban, which would take effect on January 1, 2016, if carried, the two organisations had agreed to a 90-day consultation period in which they would listen to arguments from both sides of the discussion.

Several players have been voiced their opposition to the proposal, amongst them Keegan Bradley and Carl Pettersson. However, the PGA Tour’s objection is the most high-profile to date and could put the circuit directly at odds with the game’s decision-makers.

What happens next promises to be fascinating: if the R&A and USGA proceed with plans to outlaw anchoring, they will do so in spite of huge opposition. If they repeal the proposal however, they will be made to look weak and dictated to by the game’s richest tour.

Following Finchem’s comments, the USGA issued a statement which read: “The 90-day comment period remains a very good process. We continue to listen to varying points of view, and have had many productive conversations across the golf community, which is a reminder of just how much people care about the game regardless of their position on this issue.”

“As we consider the various perspectives on anchoring, it has always been our position that Rule 14-1b aims to clarify and preserve the traditional and essential nature of the golf stroke, which has helped to make golf a unique and enjoyable game of skill and challenge.

“It is our plan to take final action on the proposed rule in the spring.”