Fate of long putter set for short debate, says R&A

First Keegan Bradley at the US PGA Championship last August, then Webb Simpson at the US Open last month, now a British Open one-two of Ernie Els and Adam Scott.

The link? They have all used long putters — although the list may not get much longer.

Peter Dawson, chief executive of the Royal & Ancient Club, confirmed at Royal Lytham yesterday that they and the United States Golf Association, the sport’s other ruling body, are discussing a ban.

“This decision has not been taken, but I think we are going to say something in a few months rather than years,” Dawson said.

“There are further discussions to be had, but if the rule is changed, it would come into effect on January 1, 2016.”

The Rules of Golf are reviewed on a four-year cycle and that is when the new rulebook will be published.

“I’m not sure if it’s true, but this may be the first one [major] where we have had the winner and runner-up with long putters,’ Dawson added.

“Let me say that the Open Championship result does not have a direct bearing on the discussions about long and belly putters. They were going on well before what has happened.

“The situation is that the R&A and the USGA do have this subject firmly back on the radar.

“We appreciate there is much speculation about this and that we need to clarify the position as soon as possible. The initial determination has been that we are examining the subject from a method of stroke standpoint rather than the length of putter.”