Quote:
Originally Posted by Bagor
What exactly is the rule regarding being put on the clock.
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Basically, two things have to happen for a group to be put on the clock.
1. They have to be over a 4 hour 38 minute pace in a threesome or 4 hour 1 minute pace in a twosome. It's about 15 1/2 minutes per hole as a threesome or 13 1/2 minutes per hole as a twosome.
2. They reach a par 3 that is open and free for play (no one on the green) or reach a par 4 or 5 and don't all put a ball in play before the rest of the hole is open.
So in this case, what happened was:
Spieth's group arrived at 11 in 3 hours and 7 minutes, which is a 5 hour 36 minute pace, and before all three balls were put in play off the tee, the group ahead cleared the 11th green. That's why they were put on the clock.
Once they're put on the clock, they have 40 seconds each to take a shot. If a player takes longer than 40 seconds to take a shot, they're assessed a one-stroke penalty. Also, if they don't make an effort to help their group get back in position, they're assessed a one-stroke penalty. After that it's an additional two-stroke penalty. If it happens a third time, they are disqualified.