PGA Tour statement regarding Harman controversy

• By Golf Channel Digital
• May 10, 2012 12:27 PM ET

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- PGA Tour rules committee produced a statement regarding the snafu Thursday at The Players Championship where D.A. Points withdrew and there wasn't enough time to notify Brian Harman, who was the first alternate and had been at TPC Sawgrass since 7 a.m. ET.

"This morning, D.A. Points withdrew from his 8:39 a.m. starting time at the latest possible moment, after the first player in the group had played and Points' name had been called on the tee. Points was experiencing back problems and made the last-second decision that he could not play.

"With the unique timing of the situation, the rules committee became aware of the complete facts of the situation 6-7 minutes after the group had teed off and the following group was already preparing to play on the tee.

"After reviewing the facts of the case and the PGA Tour's standard protocols for withdrawls and substitutions, the rules committee has assigned first alternate Brian Harman a 12:20 p.m. starting time off No. 1 today to replace Points in The Players Championship. Greg Owen will become the first alternate.

"Although we are not aware of this specific situation occurring previously on Tour, the decision to assign Harman a new starting time is consistent with the PGA Tour's standard procedures for substitutions and withdrawals.

"Alternates are asked to be on-site, inform the committee of where they will be, and keep their mobile phone on so they can be contacted. Once a withdrawal occurs, the rules committee assess the timing of the situation and determines whether it is reasonable for the player to make it to the tee for the original time, or if a new starting time should be assigned.

"For example, at Pebble Beach, if there is a last-minute withdrawal at Monterrey Peninsula Country Club, the rules committee assigns the first alternate a new starting time which allows him to have enough time to travel to course."