Take a bow Graeme McDowell

Posted by Alex Livie on 06/03/2010

In a sporting era when the rewards for success are huge and penalties for failure severe, moments of genuine honesty are increasingly rare. Graeme McDowell handed us one on the 18th hole at the Honda Classic on Friday.

McDowell stood on the 18th tee a shot behind the leader, but sent his tee shot flying towards the water on the right-hand side of the fairway. McDowell reached his ball to find it part-submerged but still playable. Rather than take a penalty drop, he elected to try and advance the ball up the fairway – which he did.

The problem for McDowell is that the water is classed as a hazard and as such you are not allowed to ground your club prior to impact. Upon taking his backswing, the sole of McDowell’s club feathered the water. It was such a minor touch that it was not spotted by any of the commentators at the time and later replays had to be scrutinised to show the offence.

McDowell knew though, the vast majority of sportsmen do in such instances, and before he had stepped back on to the fairway he had informed the TV commentator following his game that he felt he had touched the water. A two-shot penalty resulted, sending McDowell back into the pack, and it could result in him losing the tournament. That may be the case, but he has won much more than money: respect.

Too often we see footballers take a chunk out of an opposing player and say ‘never touched him ref’. The last time I played football, granted it was just past the time when there were laces in the ball, but a leg did not feel much like the ball and you knew when a foul had been committed.

Cricket is the same, it is sickening to see cricketers claim catches they know full well have not carried. About 99% of the time, you know whether the ball has carried or not but time and again you get the claim of a catch followed by a ‘I think it might have carried’.

It is highly likely that McDowell’s shot would have been scrutinised and a two-shot penalty resulted in any case. He could have shrugged the shoulders and said ‘wasn’t sure’ but he knew what had happened and held his hands up.

The rewards in sport are huge, but it is nice to see that a player has the decency and respect for himself and the game to call himself for a penalty.

Well done Graeme McDowell.

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