Furore over Jim Furyk's lie-in forces PGA to rethink rule

The rule that cost Jim Furyk his place in the first of the FedEx Cup play-offs last week has been suspended for the rest of the US Tour season.

Furyk slept in and missed his tee-off time in the pro-am on the eve of The Barclays in New Jersey and was disqualified from the tournament itself.

Phil Mickelson called it "ridiculous" and added: "I cannot disagree with it more - I have no idea how the commissioner let this rule go through."

Now commissioner Tim Finchem has announced that it will not apply any more this year.

"Hereafter, should a player be late for his pro-am starting time, the situation will be handled as a matter of unbecoming conduct," said a PGA Tour statement.

"Such player will be required to participate in the remainder of the pro-am round and may be required to perform additional sponsor activity.

"A player who misses his pro-am obligation in its entirety will still be ruled ineligible for the tournament unless he has been excused in accordance with the provisions of the regulations.

"The commissioner has asked the Player Advisory Council and Player Directors to evaluate the current pro-am regulations to determine whether alternative measures can effectively ensure that players honour their pro-am obligations without placing them at risk of disqualification.

"The matter will be discussed at the Policy Board meeting in November."

Furyk's mistake came in exceptional circumstances. He had set an alarm on his cell phone which ran out of power overnight and failed to wake him up. "The hotel had power ... but somehow my phone died. I never use a backup because I just figure if the phone is charged, I'm good to go," said Furyk. "The rules are rules. No matter what tournament it was, I would be upset."

Meanwhile, Quail Hollow Club has been selected as the site of the 2017 PGA Championship, officials announced yesterday. It will be the third North Carolina course to host the year's final major. "It is with great pleasure that we bring the PGA Championship back to North Carolina, and to make our first visit to Quail Hollow Club, a venue and a community that has demonstrated its skill in hosting premier golf," said PGA of America President Jim Remy said in a statement.

PGA championships previously were held at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club (1936) and Tanglewood Golf Club of Winston-Salem (1974), the PGA said. This year's PGA Championship was played at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin. The 2011 event is set for the Highlands Course at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, Georgia.