USGA's Davis: "Rule 18-2, that God-forsaken rule"

Golf Channel's Rex Hoggard reports that the USGA's Mike Davis apologized to the PGA of America's annual meeting for his organization's rift with the PGA over the proposed anchored putting ban.

But I found his comments on the pending simplification of the rules, and in particular, the dreaded 18-2, more eye-opening.

Davis added that the USGA has a draft of that new code that is “simpler” than the current rules, and that his association will release the draft sometime next year.

Specifically, Davis addressed the ruling from this year’s U.S. Open that led to eventual champion Dustin Johnson being penalized when his ball moved on the fifth green during the final round.

“As for the Dustin Johnson ruling, Rule 18-2, that God-forsaken rule, that is going to be getting attention in the near future. We listen and we learn,” he said.

Letting it be known the rule is not a favorite of the USGA's will go a long way toward healing the wounds caused by this one.