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Norman disqualified at Honda Classic
March 13, 2004 13:21 IST
Australian Greg Norman has been disqualified because of a rules violation during the second round of the Honda Classic.
Norman, a two-time British Open champion, was playing the par-four 13th hole on Friday and thought he had hit his tee shot in the water hazard that borders the right side of the hole. Believing he had driven into the hazard, Norman hit a provisional ball that found the fairway.
Once Norman had reached the fairway, he found his first ball in a bunker near the hazard and played that ball to the hole in violation of rule 27-a/2 of the Rules of Golf, "provisional ball played solely in belief original ball might be in water hazard".
The infraction was brought to Norman's attention by a television reporter but the Australian continued to play his first ball, making a bogey on the hole.
Norman was then met by PGA Tour officials, who gave him the option of going back and playing the second tee shot with a two-shot penalty for hitting the improper ball.
Norman declined and declared himself out of the tournament as a disqualification. He declined to meet with reporters after his round.