[RBC Heritage Highlights] Kim Siwoo "Birdie on 3rd Hole Turned Par"..."Over 10 Seconds?"

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] ○..."A birdie turned into a par."

It was an unusual incident involving Kim Si-woo (26, CJ Logistics·photo). On the 18th (Korean time) at the Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA (par 71, 7,121 yards), during the third round of the PGA Tour RBC Heritage (total prize money $7.1 million), on the 3rd hole (par 4), his putt from 9.75 meters stopped right next to the hole and then went in after about a minute. According to golf rule 13.3a, however, a player may wait an additional 10 seconds after walking to the hole.

Kim Si-woo's ball took more than 10 seconds, so the 'birdie hole-out' was recognized, but ultimately a one-stroke penalty was added. He watched the ball near the hole for too long. Despite making consecutive birdies from the 4th to 5th holes and sweeping four consecutive birdies starting from the 2nd hole (par 5), a rules official approached and changed the birdie on the 3rd hole to a par. His playing partner Matt Kuchar (USA) said, "It's true it took more than 10 seconds, but the ball kept moving," expressing regret, "You can't hit a moving ball, can you?"