Ball movement rule under review

Ball movement rule under review

Published May. 2, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

The rules of golf could soon be changed to avoid the type of penalty that might have cost Webb Simpson his first PGA Tour win.

Simpson lost in a playoff to Bubba Watson on Sunday at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Simpson was leading by one shot when he was assessed a one-stroke penalty on the 15th because his ball moved as he was addressing it on the green.

Simpson said he had nothing to do with the ball moving and called it a ''bad rule.''

USGA Vice President Thomas O'Toole said Monday that there will be a proposal to change the rule starting in 2012. He says the new wording will decree that a golfer won't be penalized if he doesn't cause the ball's movement.

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O'Toole said the possible change has been under discussion for several years.

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