Back to the Golf Newsfeed

Ball-in-hand debate still hot topic at USWO

Getty Images

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Will the USGA finally succumb and implement lift, clean and place in one of its championships?

It remained the giant question on players’ minds during Wednesday’s practice rounds at the weather-ravaged U.S. Women’s Open.

John Bodenhamer, the USGA senior managing director of championships and governance, would not say definitively when asked on Wednesday afternoon. He repeated what he said a day earlier.

“It remains our intention to play 72 holes and to play the ball as it lies,” Bodenhamer said.

Barring another overnight deluge, play at Shoal Creek is expected to begin on schedule Thursday at 6:40 a.