Tiger Woods remains firmly in favor of a ban on anchored putters.
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Tiger Woods is in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., this week for the Honda Classic at PGA National Resort & Spa.
The biggest news in golf so far this year is the proposed ban on anchored putters by the USGA and R&A. Everyone seems to have an opinion. Should the putters be allowed, or outlawed?
On Sunday, PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said the Tour was opposed to a ban and made that known to golf's governing bodies.
Woods, for one, doesn't agree with the Tour's stance.
In a report filed by ESPN.com's Bob Harig on Wednesday [2], Woods once again expressed his feelings on the matter:
"My position hasn't changed," Woods said after his pro-am round at the Honda Classic, where he begins the first round at 7:25 a.m. on Thursday. "I still think that it should be swung, it shouldn't be anchored, and that hasn't changed at all. But obviously nothing is set in stone, nothing's firm.
"The USGA (United States Golf Association) and R&A (Royal & Ancient) are the governing bodies of our rules, and we'll see what happens. Hopefully we don't have to bifurcate (have separate rules for pros and amateurs) or adapt a local rule like we do sometimes out here on tour (but all are within the Rules of Golf). Hopefully we won't have to do that with the putter."
The USGA and R&A announced their proposed change, in which using an anchored stroke would no longer be allowed, to the Rules of Golf on Nov. 28. The rule would not go into effect until Jan. 1, 2016. They allowed for a three-month comment period, which ends Thursday, with a decision expected sometime in the spring.
Less than 20 percent of PGA Tour players, Finchem said Sunday, use an anchored putter. However, he's still against a ban, which would effect the likes of major champions Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson and Ernie Els to name a few.
Harig also had this quote from Woods:
"I understand that; I get it," Woods said. "The guys that play our tour, all three of them who have won major championships with an anchored putter … play our tour full time. I understand his position. But I still feel that all 14 clubs should be swung. That hasn't changed at all."
Follow T.J. Auclair on Twitter, @tj_auclair [3].
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