Uncalled for rudeness!

[P_102]

Rory Sabatini acted like a complete jerk yesterday.

Crane should get a medal for his comments afterwords.

P_102

 

[Bravo]

I thought I was the only one who saw it.

I've watched the game for decades and have never seen anything like it. He was standing right behind the green with his caddie as Crane addressed and hit.

Then he putts out and goes to the 18th tee.

And the booing. Not just a heckler here and there. Loud booing from the galleries.

Crane did do a great job in the interview though...

 

[Kilted Arab]

what happened?

 

[P_102]

I'll try to explain....a few holes earlier they were put on the clock (Crane is admittedly very slow)...Rory got po'ed and started playing really fast. At the 17th (they were now off the clock) Crane was in the fairway and Rory off the back of the green....Rory and caddy went behind green and stood directly behind the flag, deliberately in Cranes line. Once Crane was on the green Rory chipped to within a few feet. As Crane was walking to the green, Rory read his put, marked his ball and then putted (Crane now on green) even though Crane was clearly "away"...Rory stomps off green and straight to the next tee while Crane is still putting.

 

[Kilted Arab]

I'll try to explain....a few holes earlier they were put on the clock (Crane is admittedly very slow)...Rory got po'ed and started playing really fast. At the 17th (they were now off the clock) Crane was in the fairway and Rory off the back of the green....Rory and caddy went behind green and stood directly behind the flag, deliberately in Cranes line. Once Crane was on the green Rory chipped to within a few feet. As Crane was walking to the green, Rory read his put, marked his ball and then putted (Crane now on green) even though Crane was clearly "away"...Rory stomps off green and straight to the next tee while Crane is still putting.

Ah....unacceptable in a weekend hack, never mind a pro...

Still, that's what happens when you let Americans into the game

(I await the backlash!)

Cheers

 

[Bravo]

Yes and the announcers were really letting him have it while it occurred.

The 17th green is surrounded by water on 3 sides. The distance from the edge of the green to the edge of the water behind the green was perhaps 25 feet. So Sabatini and his caddy are standing at water's edge but the pin is in far back position - so he is only about ten yards from the pin. As Crane addressed his ball, Sabatini's image is all around the pin. Crane, the pin and Sabatini were all in a line.

It really stunk. And then as was described, after Sabatini hit his chip - he was closer to the hole than Crane. Did he wait for Crane to putt first? No. Another gaffe.

Then of course, each player is a "scoring marker" for the other. While Crane is preparing to putt - Sabatini is storming off to 18.

It went on and on - one breach after another....

He's gonna get his checkbook out because a fine is coming...

 

[DaveE]

I've never seen anything like. Even in a weekend round with friends it's something you would never expect.

Hope he enjoyed his little tantrum cause I'll bet the fine is huge.

 

[longiron]

it would have been funny if Crane would have hit a low screamer right at his ass.

 

[bdcrowe]

Screw the fine. People will be talking about this forever. It is a stigma that his lack of foresight has stuck to him forever. The fine is nothing, making everyone's "biggest a-hole" list for eternity-- priceless. Sounds like the stigma is well deserved. Way to go, moron...

 

[Rockford35]

I'm not gonna support Rory here, but if you get put on the clock during a round, that has to send a signal to you as the slow player. There are these rules and a clock for a reason. And how many guys get put on the clock?

Remember Sergio when he had that 40 minute waggle about a year ago? Cripes, hit the ball man. But he never was put on the clock. And what about Mr. Neverputt, who lines up his putts, goes through the routine everytime and then backs away only to line it up again?

I think there's something to be said for "average" round speed. If you can't keep up, then quit.

In any other sport, if you aren't ready to go, the referees and the other team will start without you. Rory went too far, but he does have some merit behind his frustration.

He'll get fined, and Crane will get a warning too, i bet you 100 bucks.

R35

 

[Rosmo]

I agree with Rock on this one. Rory took it too far by standing in his line when he was hitting, and playing out of turn but I don't mind him playing ahead of Crane and showing a little frustration with the slow play. He just should have done it differently if that makes sense to anyone.

 

[Kilted Arab]

I'm not gonna support Rory here, but if you get put on the clock during a round, that has to send a signal to you as the slow player. There are these rules and a clock for a reason. And how many guys get put on the clock?

Remember Sergio when he had that 40 minute waggle about a year ago? Cripes, hit the ball man. But he never was put on the clock. And what about Mr. Neverputt, who lines up his putts, goes through the routine everytime and then backs away only to line it up again?

I think there's something to be said for "average" round speed. If you can't keep up, then quit.

In any other sport, if you aren't ready to go, the referees and the other team will start without you. Rory went too far, but he does have some merit behind his frustration.

He'll get fined, and Crane will get a warning too, i bet you 100 bucks.

R35

I've just been reading up on this...apparently they were off the clock by the time they reached the 17th..?

Agreed that slow play is a huge pain in the ass, but don't think you can condone an act of petulance by a professional golfer like this...

 

[P_102]

When yuo get on tour you understand you will be playing w/ slow, fast and everything in between players...Rory's been around a while, there's no excuse and there's certainly a big difference between trying to speed up play and being a total arse. And, yes, they were off the clock at that point.

 

[Rockford35]

Agreed that slow play is a huge pain in the ass, but don't think you can condone an act of petulance by a professional golfer like this...

Agreed. He should have asked the marshalls to start thinking about instilling a penalty stroke. His actions spoke louder than words, but he did go a little too far.

Some guys play slow, some play fast. Mix them together and it's like water and oil. They just don't mix well. One wants to fly, the other wants to make sure the planets are aligned right for every shot.

I can sense his frustration, but there are many other ways to deal with it. Human nature, tho...

R35

 

[P_102]

Rock, if I understand the slow play rule correctly, warnings and penalties are applied to the group in this instance since Crane hadn't received a personal bad time, they were just out of place.