Sunday, on the 9th hole at the tranquil Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club carved among the Swiss Alps, just to the right of an electronic leaderboard flashing scores from the final round of the DP World Tour’s Omega European Masters, a rules official explained rules relief.
But not before he offered comedic relief.
Truly, humor can be found at any time, and laughter can be created by anyone.
The scene came following Andrew “Beef” Johnston’s tee shot, which sailed right on the par-5, before finishing a couple feet to the right of the aforementioned leaderboard, inhibiting him from taking a full cut. Rules help was called for. One of Johnston’s playing partners, Matt Wallace, also offered a hand. What followed was captured by Golf Channel cameras and shared by the DP World Tour’s social media team.
Said Wallace: “There’s two rules for this. There’s one where you take a swing from it. And then two, from there. As in, you’d get to the nearest point, then two club lengths. Get to the nearest point and then two club lengths. So it’s the new rule.”
Said Johnston: “Yeah.”
Said Wallace: “Yeah, so it’s not a swing.”
Said Johnston: “OK, so how …”
Said Wallace to the official, standing a few feet to the right of Johnston: “It’s like nearest point, right?”
Here, the official paused. As two others were admirably trying to find an answer to the job he was hired to do, how would he respond?
Like this:
Said the ref: “Oye. Let me do it; I’m the referee.”
Here, for about 15 seconds, Johnston and the folks gathered around laughed. The official stood with his hands raised. Wallace walked away. Said Johnston eventually: “You’re a comedian, too.”
Eventually, the rules help was given.
