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Jim Furyk disqualified
from Sun City event
The American was cut from the 12-man field after falling foul of the different
rule interpretations on the PGA and European tours.
Jim Furyk was found to be in breach of the local rule of preferred lies after an
incident which occurred during Thursday's first round.
The preferred lies rule states that a player can lift, clean and place his
ball on the fairway within one club length of where it originally lay and not
closer to the hole.
I haven't played much in Europe so I was not familiar with the rule there
Jim Furyk
But the ball can only be placed once before it is in play on the European Tour
while on the PGA Tour a player may place his ball several times.
Furyk only realised his error after hearing PGA Tour rules official Mike Shea
discussing the rule with Canadian Mike Weir on Friday.
"I think it happened on the 13th hole. I was in between clubs and after
placing the ball once, I changed clubs and then rotated the ball 90 degrees for
the new club.
"The act of stepping away from the ball was obviously in breach of the
rule," said Furyk.
Furyk, who lay five strokes behind leader Ernie Els, advised tournament referee
Dennis Bruyns of his infringement.
The rules state Furyk was liable for a two-shot penalty, but because he had
already signed his card for Thursday's round, he was disqualified for signing
for an incorrect score.
"It's unfortunate, but the fault is entirely my own," said Furyk.
"We had a players' meeting early in the week to discuss this rule, but
we didn't discuss the different interpretations of it.
"I haven't played much in Europe so I was not familiar with the rule there.
"But it was clear on the sheet we were given on the first tee on Thursday
what the rule implied. I should've read it more clearly.
"When I went to sleep on Friday night I had a good idea this might happen,
so I'm comfortable with the decision."
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