• European Tour

European Tour supports proposed anchoring ban

ESPN.com staff
March 4, 2013
Webb Simpson utilises the long putter © Getty Images
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The European Tour has come out in support of the proposed ban on the anchored putting stroke.

The European Tour said in a statement on Monday that it backs the Royal & Ancient and United States Golf Association on the rule change.

Last week, the PGA Tour surprisingly revealed it was not in favour of the change, which will outlaw the use of long putters preferred by the likes of Keegan Bradley and Webb Simpson.

Tour chief executive George O'Grady said: "The European Tour has been fully involved in the consultation process which ended on February 28th, and deeply value this involvement. Our members support the unique role played by the governing bodies in formulating the Rules of Golf.

"Additionally, virtually all of our Tournament Committee and player representatives support the proposed rule even though they are aware, and have taken into account, the fact that some members and especially our senior members use the anchored method.

"We understand the points put forward by the PGA Tour and the PGA of America and respect and sympathise with their views, which are based on their experience and the evidence before them, and have been expressed with great concern for the game.

"The whole issue has received far greater focus and comment in the United States than in the rest of the world, perhaps because of the numbers of their golfers using the anchored method, and the set up in general terms of their golf courses and the firmness and speed of their greens."

The R&A and USGA announced the proposed rule on November 28. They allowed a 90-day comment period that ended last Thursday.

This article originally appeared on ESPN.com

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