A perfect storm, such as the one that wrecked Dustin Johnson’s PGA Championship, often involves a communication breakdown. In this case, the would-be receiver bears responsibility. That’s Johnson. He was unaware of a vital rule because he did not take the care to learn it from the rules sheet he was given or from several postings on locker room walls.
Ultimately this is an issue of unconscious behavior. The talented Johnson was not conscious of the communication, of the rule, of the fact he was in a bunker on the 72nd hole and of the fact he grounded his club.
Sadly, that makes for a grand slam.
Had he known the rule that all bunkers at Whistling Straits would be played as hazards and none as waste areas, he perhaps would have been clear when his tee shot came to rest on a sandy surface far to the right of the 18th fairway. At the least perhaps he would have erred on the side of caution and sought clarity from an official.
As it happened, of course, Johnson weathered his second Category 5, final-round explosion of the summer major season. He melted down with a three-shot lead at the U.S. Open. This time, he carried a one-stroke advantage to the last hole but was denied playoff participation because he grounded his club in that rough bunker and was assessed a gut-wrenching two-stroke penalty.
Yes, Johnson, who handled his gaffe with class, should have known the rule. Knowledge of rules is an important part of his business, and golf at that level is big business. Local rules at major championships often differ from those at regular PGA Tour events. That underscores the need to process the material.
“It’s unbelievable he didn’t read the rule and pay attention to it,” said Lanny Wadkins, Hall of Famer and past PGA champion. “I can’t comprehend it. They give you rules because they’re important. It’s your business. I used to get my packet and go back to my room and study it.”
One can surmise more contemporary players might do that moving forward.
It’s painfully clear now that not knowing the rules can be a recipe for disaster. Because, in a sporting sense, that’s what we had here – a disaster.
Yet, though Johnson bears the blame, I feel for him because he didn’t get much help on that 72nd hole. Yes, in an ideal world, his caddie or a rules official could have reminded him he was in a bunker and, by the way, don’t ground your club. And marshals should have cleared people out of the way so Johnson could have clearly seen that he was in a bunker.
Several spectators were standing in the bunker. You don’t see that at Amen Corner. This was a highly unusual situation.
You can argue this was a hazard in disguise. Not only were fans in it, they trampled it all week, making it look a bit like a dirt patch. Countless observers didn’t know it was a bunker. One member of the news media was kneeling in that sand and didn’t realize he was in a hazard.
If tournament officials bear fault in this controversy, it’s that they didn’t properly clear the gallery so Johnson could survey his surroundings and recognize he was in a bunker.
“The PGA gets a black eye for that,” Wadkins said.
The walking rules official in Johnson’s group, David Price, had the option but not responsibility to remind Johnson he was in a bunker. But, Price said, “it never dawned on me that he didn’t think he was in a bunker.”
It’s not routine that officials speak up in situations like that. Many players want officials to stay away during the heat of battle unless they have a question. Numerous officials have gotten chewed and been told to get away when giving unsolicited information over the years. That dynamic is a part of this perfect storm.
Price, longtime head professional at Bent Tree Country Club in Dallas, said he asked Johnson, “Is there anything you need? Can I help you with anything?” He said Johnson replied, “I need people cleared out on the right.”
In the aftermath, Price, one of classiest people I’ve met in golf, has received hate mail and nasty calls from people he doesn’t know. He also has received support.
His case is the latest evidence that hindsight is 20/20.
“In hindsight, now that I know he didn’t read the rules, I wish I had taken the initiative to tell him he was in a bunker,” Price said. “But it was obvious to me he was in a bunker.
“I feel as bad as anyone. I’m happy to take the blame for not telling him. In hindsight, you’re darned right I should have said something. But it never dawned on me that he didn’t think he was in a bunker.”
What are the lessons here?
There probably are many. Be aware. Never assume. When in doubt, receive and give communication. They would seem to top the list.
