Craig Stadler’s disqualification still felt at Torrey Pines

Timonesss · November 2011

Pro golfer, Craig "The Walrus" Stadler, is originally from San Diego. Ironically, it was one of his home courses which has served as the bane of his professional career on the PGA Tour. As pro golfers gather at Torrey Pines in San Diego for the Farmers Insurance Open this weekend, it brings back memories of one of the strangest rulings ever on the PGA Tour.

During the 1987 Andy Williams Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego, Stadler hit a drive shot on the 14th tee which landed next to a huge tree. After pondering his shot, Stadler decided the best way to try to avoid the tree was to take the shot from his knees.

Instead of getting his trousers dirty, the big man put a towel down on the ground. His shot was successful in the midst of the third round and Stadler finished second overall. There was one problem - someone at home was watching and knew the rules of golf.

Supposedly, a viewer from Iowa called into the tournament to say the shot was illegal because of the "building a stance" rule. It specifically states you cannot artificially manipulate your surroundings in order to get a better footing. The PGA agreed with the viewer and felt Stadler should have taken a penalty.

Stadler forgot to take into account the two-strokes he should have counted. When he officially turned in his scorecard, Stadler's score was wrong. He was disqualified for turning in a falsified scorecard despite finishing second in the tournament.

Had he finished second, perhaps Stadler wouldn't have decided to go into part-time retirement the following year. He was already a veteran and had one just a single major win, the 1982 Masters.

Since his Masters glory, Stadler didn't win much after that and decided to spend more time with his family. The Los Angeles Times reports the following year he wanted to have more quality time with his two young children. Stadler decided not to play the course much, despite it being a public course in his hometown.

The man who was the subject of one of the weirdest golf penalties did get his revenge. When course managers decided to cut the tree down in 1995 they invited Stadler to help. Too bad he didn't need a fireplace in balmy San Diego.

Stadler can take heart as he's not the only pro golfer to be disqualified for turning in a false scorecard. Lee Janzen suffered the same fate in 1998 when his golf putt stayed at the rim too long before going in. His score was one stroke too few and was disqualified.

Even more strange, Paul Azinger was disqualified when another golf viewer at home called in to say his caddie had removed the tee flag too early. Azinger didn't write down the penalty and was DQ'd a day later for an incorrect score after officials viewed the tape. Apparently instant replay is alive and well in golf.

Stadler still plays on the Champions Tour regularly, but Torrey Pines isn't played much anymore by the walrus from San Diego.