Chairman Payne: "We hope and believe that they can reach common ground so that golf will continue under one set of rules."

The press room consensus felt Masters Chairman Billy Payne's Wednesday comments on the proposed anchoring ban sealed the deal for the governing bodies. I did not read them that way and a few of my colleagues were equally hung up on the words "common ground."

Golf Channel's Randall Mell summarizes the anchoring portion of the proceedings here.

The questions and comments, starting with Scott Michaux's question:

Q.  Mr. Chairman, there was a long comment period from the USGA and the R&A about the anchored putting situation that didn't include this press conference in that time period, but everybody else, all of the other governing bodies and associations have sort of expressed their opinions.  What is the Club's opinion on the anchored putting?

CHAIRMAN PAYNE:  First, Scott, we are not a governing body.  We are a golf club that puts on a tournament, so we wouldn't be presumptuous to say that we have that kind of influence.

Given the fact that the ruling bodies have not yet declared a decision following that open comment period, I do think it would be inappropriate for us to express an opinion; other than to say, other than to say, that we hope and believe that they can reach common ground so that golf will continue under one set of rules.

And my attempt at a follow up:

Q.  Mr. Chairman, you said it would be inappropriate to comment on the anchoring, the proposed anchoring ban.  Does that mean that you endorse the USGA and R&A Rules of Golf so that if they were to go forward with the ban, you would support?

CHAIRMAN PAYNE:  That means, sir, what I said, and that is that we hope and believe that common ground will be achieved so that only one set of rules governs the game of golf.

Common ground, for me, translates as a compromise somewhere between the current USGA and R&A position of a 2016 ban on anchoring, and the PGA Tour/PGA of America position that this ban is bad for the game.

A longer grandfathering-in period beyond 2016? A shorter period until 14-b becomes the rule? A local rule option?

I will also note that the only tension during the entire press conference came when this topic was brought up. Clearly, this has caused consternation for the Chairman, who knew this would be asked because the club had deferred comment until this week. So the answer surprises me if nothing else for the lack of a position after every major golf organization took a stance on the proposed band. So what exactly bothers the chairman, who was in an otherwise excellent mood, remains a mystery.