Why is Cam Smith not playing in BMW Championship?

Answered by James Kissner

Cam Smith is not playing in the BMW Championship because of a rules violation that occurred during the third round of the tournament. The violation was related to a drop he took after hitting his ball out of bounds on the 18th hole. The tour’s rules committee determined that Smith had not taken the drop from the correct spot, which resulted in a breach of Rule 14.7 regarding playing the ball from the wrong spot.

Interestingly, Smith was not initially assessed a penalty for this breach during the round. It was only after another member of the tour’s rules committee watched a rebroadcast of the third round that the alarm was raised about Smith’s drop. This raises questions about the effectiveness of the rules enforcement during the tournament and highlights the importance of thorough review and analysis of players’ actions.

The fact that the penalty was not assessed during the round itself can be seen as a missed opportunity to address the rules violation in real-time. It also raises questions about the consistency and fairness of rules enforcement on the tour. It is important for players to know that the rules will be consistently applied and enforced to ensure a level playing field for all competitors.

The decision to assess the penalty after the fact and ultimately disqualify Smith from the tournament has significant implications for his standing in the overall FedEx Cup playoffs. The BMW Championship is a crucial event in the playoffs, and not being able to compete in it can have a significant impact on a player’s chances of advancing to the next stage.

The incident involving Cam Smith serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to the rules of the game and the consequences that can occur when those rules are not followed. Golf is a sport that prides itself on integrity and fair play, and it is essential for players to uphold these values.

Cam Smith is not playing in the BMW Championship due to a rules violation that occurred during the third round of the tournament. The penalty for this violation was assessed after the fact, highlighting the need for consistent and fair rules enforcement in golf. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to the rules of the game and upholding the integrity of the sport.