OPEN TO KICK OUT ANY MICKELSON COPYCATS

THE R&A have strongly suggested that golfers at Carnoustie who replicate Phil Mickelson’s transgression at the US Open will be disqualified. Mickelson caused huge controversy at Shinnecock Hills last month by hitting his ball again as it rolled off the 13th green to escape a more difficult shot. The US Golf Association issued only a two-stroke fine — invoking a rule that governs accidental ball contact rather than another that covers deliberate actions — prompting fierce criticism. But on the eve of the 2018 Open, R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers gave clear indication that a repeat scenario would see the offending player ejected from the tournament. ‘I have talked to Phil since he’s been here and he essentially admits that it wasn’t his finest hour, and I agree,’ said Slumbers. ‘We understand the USGA and the referees’ decisions that were made at Shinnecock, and we completely respect those. They used rule 14-5 which

doesn’t have a disqualification option in it. But there are other parts of the rule book which refer to etiquette and the powers of the committee, and we’re fully aware of those clauses. ‘In the event of a similar situation this week, clearly, the first thing is you understand the facts because you never get the same situation. But we have looked very carefully at the rules, and I don’t think it was good for the game and not the right way to have played this wonderful sport.’ Meanwhile, there are no plans for the Open to be held at Trump Turnberry in the near future. Donald Trump has spent more than £200million acquiring and renovating the Scottish course since 2014. The US president used his recent visit to the UK to stay at Trump Turnberry and he played a round on the course that has hosted the Open four times, most recently in 2009. But Slumbers said other host venues have been chosen after Royal Portrush next year and Royal St George’s in 2020. ‘In 2021 we’re going to be celebrating the 150th playing of the Open at St Andrews, and in 2022 we’ll be going south of the border,’ he said.