Jim Furyk, a member of the United States Ryder Cup Team bound for The Celtic Manor Resort in October, has been disqualified from The Barclays tournament on the US PGA Tour’s FedExCup series after oversleeping and missing his pro-am tee time on Wednesday.
The 40 year old American was scheduled to tee off on the 11th hole at Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, New Jersey at 7.30am in a shotgun start, but failed to arrive on time.
US PGA Tour policy is that any player missing a pro-am time except for injury or family emergency is ineligible to play in that week's tournament. The rule was instituted in 2004.
“The rules are the rules," said Furyk, who explained that he uses his cell phone as an alarm clock but that it had no power in the morning. "The hotel had power, but somehow my phone died. I never use a back-up because I just figure if the phone is charged, I'm good to go.
"No matter what tournament it was, I'd be upset. But I'm more upset because it is this one. I'm beside myself, but I have a way of climbing into stupid situations."
Slugger White, the US PGA Tour's Vice President of Rules and Competition, said tournament officials were looking for Furyk half an hour before his tee time. White was with Furyk's caddie, Mike ‘Fluff’ Cowan, who said he tried to call Furyk but that the phone would not ring. White also tried to contact the golfer without avail.
"It is unfortunate," said White. "Knowing Jim as I do and we all do, he handled it extremely professionally and put all of the blame on himself. He is a fan favorite and everybody likes him. He is a really good guy, but my hands are tied.”
The ruling does not eliminate Furyk from the Playoffs, but it does eliminate an opportunity to solidify his spot going into the next event, the Deutsche Bank Championship held next week at TPC Boston.
Andy McFee, European Tour Senior Referee, said: “The European Tour does have a policy in relation to missing pro-am times but it is very different. We would apply a fine and the Tournament Committee have not, to date, seen the need to extend any sanction into removal from the tournament.”
