Presidents Cup fan kicks golf ball back into play, reviving memories of infamous Chicago fan moments - Golfweek
A fan at the Presidents Cup inserted themself into the action Saturday. Seems to be a thing in Chicago.
As explained by Adam Schupak of Golfweek, a wayward shot during afternoon foursomes by Corey Conners "hooked the International Team's second shot from 211 yards in the alternate-shot format and it bounced over the three-foot wooden split-rail fence that runs down the left side of the opening three holes. It was clearly OB, but when the ball bounced, a fan kicked it while it was still in the air back into play and on to the green."
The shot was ruled out of bounds under Rule 11.2. This Rule applies "only when it is known or virtually certain that a playerβs ball in motion was deliberately deflected or stopped by a person," which includes when a person deliberately touches the ball in motion. When a ball would have come to rest out of bounds, the player must take stroke-and-distance relief under Rule 18.2, as explained by Schupak.
But this has stirred memories of other Chicago sports fans getting involved where they shouldn't. Another memorable example is Steve Bartman, who reached for a foul ball in a Cubs' playoff game, incurring the wrath of fans and seemingly extending a mythical curse.
Mike Pantazis jumped from the stands and caught a Kevin Butler fourth-quarter extra point and then seemingly disappeared out of sight after a long fall. A live appearance on The David Letterman Show followed and for 20 years, he said, he would get stopped by fans who recognized him.
