VILLEGAS DISQUALIFIED AFTER TV VIEWER SPOTS INFRINGEMENT

KAPALUA, Hawaii -- The Tournament of Champions lost another star player today when Camilo Villegas was disqualified for a rules violation that a television viewer called in after the opening round.
Villegas was chipping up the slope to the 15th green when the ball twice came back at him. The second time, the Colombia casually swatted away a loose piece of grass by the divot as the ball was still moving down the slope.
That was a violation of Rule 23-1, and he should have taken a two-shot penalty. Villegas opened with a 72, so he was disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard. Villegas watched the video to confirm the penalty and did not protest. Making it worse, this is his 29th birthday.
On Thursday, two-time defending champion Geoff Ogilvy withdrew because of a freak injury to his finger.
Editor's comment: It must have made that TV viewer's day to get Villegas disqualified! To my mind, most of the Rules of Golf were drawn up more than a hundred years ago to stop or punish players who cheated. Was Villegas cheating when he "swatted away a loose piece of grass?" I think not.
Any comments? E-mail them to Colin@scottishgolfview.com