In a bizarre twist to a complex case, it was a television viewer’s phone call that ultimately spared the world No. 1.
The viewer questioned the way Woods took a penalty drop after his wedge into the par-5 15th hole struck the flag stick and bounced back into the water. Woods dropped the ball two yards behind where he had hit his previous shot, a violation.
The Phone Call ...............
Aw, hi, operator, aw, can you get me the number for the Masters golf tournament down in Georgia?
Well, it's at a golf course there, Augusta, I think.
Yes, yes, I think that is it, can you give me that number again, 706 667-6000, hey thanks.
Hi, is this the Augusta National Golf Club, could I talk with someone there from the tournament?
Ah, does the rules committee have their own telephone.
Great, could I talk with them, yea, thanks.
Hi, rules committee, I'm Bert Collins from Little Rock, Arkansas, and I would like to report a rules infraction that I saw on TV.
Well, it was Mr. Woods.
Hello, are you still there, I thought we got cut off, what's all that noise, a party goin on, ha, ha.
Well, I know the rules, and on the 15th hole, Mr. Woods made a illegal drop.
I seen it, right on the television, he did not follow the rules.
I don't care how many people you got watchin him, he made a illegal drop on 15.
NO, I ain't no professional golfer, I play the par three over at Piney Hills once in a while, an I don't just think I know better than all them committee guys, I know I know better. Woods make an illegal drop on 15.
Your a watchin it now, hello, hello, hello, what happened, they musta hung up.
