Controversy brews over PGA Tour stand against ‘belly putter’ ban

London: A major controversy is brewing in the world of golf after the PGA Tour took a stand against proposed plans to ban belly putters.

The R&A and US Golf Association proposed in November to outlaw anchored putting strokes from 2016 which was immediately opposed by the PGA of America – the hosts of the US PGA. Revealing that 13 of the 15 members of his Player Advisory Council were against the ban, PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said that the board has decided that moving forward with the ban would be a mistake as it may hurt the game with a certain numbers of amateurs. However, Scottish golfer Colin Montgomerie said that the PGA decision has opened up a can of worms in the world of golf thrusting it into a dangerous situation, adding that he hoped that the PGA sorted out the problem as soon as possible. Three of the last five majors have been won by players with long or belly putters – Ernie Els, Webb Simpson and Keegan Bradley, the report added. ANI