Major champion Wyndham Clark cleared after video confirms embedded-ball ruling
Video review helped Wyndham Clark avoid a potential penalty during the second round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational when confusion arose over an embedded ball situation.
On the par-4 3rd hole, Clark's tee shot bounced and came to rest in the fairway. He proceeded to take embedded ball relief, which initially caused concern as it was unclear whether the ball was in his own pitch mark or someone else's. Free relief is only permitted if the ball is embedded in its own mark.
PGA Tour Rules Director Rich Pierson initially stated on the broadcast that Clark's ball had rolled into another player's pitch mark, which would have made the relief illegal. However, after reviewing additional footage from ShotLink cameras six holes later, officials confirmed the ball had actually landed in its own pitch mark, making the relief legal.
"Using television and our ShotLink cameras, we were able to determine that it did end up in its original pitch mark," Pierson explained. "Therefore there would be no penalty."
Clark, who held a two-stroke lead after shooting a five-under 67 in the first round, made eight straight pars following an opening birdie to finish the front nine one-under for the day.
The advanced video technology available to tour officials proved crucial in making the correct ruling and preventing an unnecessary penalty that could have impacted the tournament outcome.