Oakmont, Pa.
What was fascinating about the USGA's ruling on Dustin Johnson on Sunday was the reaction on Twitter from the world's best players.
They reacted not only as if they thought the USGA was wrong, but as if they have found the USGA wanting in many ways for a long time. This was pent-up anger at the organization being unleashed.
There were two levels on which to be upset with the USGA:
-Small picture: The ruling could have damaged the U.S. Open. The USGA officials on the course approached Johnson on the 12th tee, seven holes after his supposed infraction, and told him the incident would be reviewed and resolved after the round. That's no way to run a tournament. If there isn't enough evidence to make an immediate ruling, the tournament should be allowed to continue without such a shadow.
-Big picture: Golf says it wants to grow, that it wants to develop a more universal appeal. These displays of bureaucratic officiousness send the message that golf is a sport for up-tight white-collar automotons. It would have been a bad look even if it had been something closer to the right call.
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At 5 p.m. on Thursday night, Jon Krawczynski and I will do our podcast live at The Pint Public House in downtwon Minneapolis, right down the street from Target Center. Please stop by for the show, then stick around for NBA draft coverage.
