Theegala Bunker Rule Penalty - Not Quite Right
Sahith Theegala brushed the sand during his backswing on the third hole at the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club, and called himself on it, but the real surprise is that he quoted the wrong rule.
Sahith gave several interviews on this subject and was explaining the rule incorrectly. I'll clear up both issues.
During the first interview, he said he told Xander he didn't have "intent" to touch the sand, so it probably was not a penalty. He later said he didn't improve his "conditions" so it shouldn't have been a penalty. Both are incorrect interpretations of Rule 12.2.
While I'm the first in line to commend him for calling himself on a possible penalty (what a class act) I wanted to clarify that he's not quite got the rule right.
As I mention in this golf rules video, the penalty for brushing the sand in your backswing is earned, regardless of your intent, and regardless if you improved your C.A.T.S. Those are the conditions affecting the stroke. I explain C.A.T.S. in this other video: • What Are Conditions Affecting The Stroke?
Keep in mind that the "stroke" or "swing" begins when you begin the forward motion of your downswing, and you can defiantly brush or touch the sand during the stroke. However, the "swing" does not include your backswing so brushing the sand in a bunker during your backswing earns the general penalty (two strokes in stroke play, or loss of hole in match play). Intent or improvement of the conditions around your ball are not relevant..
Sahith motioned that there are a lot of "funny things" players are permitted to do in a bunker, and he's right. You can strike the ground in anger, rest against it, or stick it into the sand to prevent yourself from falling. You can set your clubs or equipment down in the sand. You can even rake the bunker BEFORE YOU TAKE YOUR SWING OUT OF IT. That's right, before you make your shot from the bunker IF you are caring for the course. That could be when you enter a very large bunker from the lowest point and it's quite behind where your ball lies. You can bring a rake in and rake your way to the ball.
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