PGA Star Im Sung-jae Confused by Golf Rules at Genesis Championship

Golf rules are so complex that even professional golfers often find them confusing. Im Sung-jae, a leading Korean player on the PGA Tour, is no exception.

At the Genesis Championship held at Woojung Hills in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, last October, Im was tied for the lead through two rounds. He then collapsed with a 5-over-par third round. The fallout from a one-stroke penalty on the 12th hole (par 4) proved devastating. Im's tee shot landed on a slope next to a bunker. As he took his stance for the second shot, his ball moved slightly downward.

The rules official determined that the player had caused the ball to move and assessed Im a one-stroke penalty under Rule 9.4b. After recording a bogey on that hole, Im made four consecutive bogeys through the 15th hole (par 4) and dropped another stroke on the 17th hole (par 4).

"Yesterday's penalty situation completely broke my rhythm and turned the atmosphere negative," Im said the following day. "The rule was different from what I thought. I didn't ground my club—I only touched the grass slightly—so I thought I wouldn't get a penalty. I was flustered when I received one."