That drop that came in between those two shots has now been called into question. Rules officials think that Tiger may have dropped incorrectly—dropping two yards behind the designated spot. He talks about it here:
This would mean he possibly should have been given a two-stroke penalty, which would result in an incorrect scorecard and disqualification from the Masters.
It all comes to this: Did Tiger follow options “A.” or “B.” from the rule book when he dropped his ball? (Keep in mind, I've played golf for a decade and I barely understand these rules.)
It is a question of fact whether a ball that has not been found after having been struck toward a water hazard is in the hazard. In the absence of knowledge or virtual certainty that a ball struck toward a water hazard, but not found, is in the hazard, the player must proceed under Rule 27-1.
If a ball is found in a water hazard or if it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not been found is in the water hazard (whether the ball lies in water or not), the player may under penalty of one stroke:
a. Proceed under the stroke and distance provision of Rule 27-1 by playing a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or
b. Drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped; or
Woods didn't go with option “A.” because he said he dropped the ball two yards behind the designated spot. And he may not have gone with option “B.” because we don't know whether he placed the ball at the point “where it last crossed the margin of the water hazard.”
Now, rules officials are meeting to possibly do the unthinkable: DQ Woods. CBS execs must be pissing themselves right now.
If you asked me before the tournament whether Woods could be disqualified over something so trivial, I'd say you were out of your mind. But then an official almost caused 14-year-old Tianland Guan—who holds the Masters' second-most compelling storyline—to miss the cut after he gave the kid Augusta's first slow play penalty in 20 years. So let's just say all cards are still on the table.
UPDATE: Tiger was hit with a two-stroke penalty, but he avoids disqualification.
[H/T: CBS Sports]
“