Web.com Tour rules official Jim Duncan has a clear memory of the moments that led to a 72nd-hole penalty for Rhein Gibson at the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic, and his version does not align with the one told by Gibson's recently-fired caddie, Brandon Davis.Gibson became the subject of a social media firestorm after television cameras caught him throwing a putter cover at Davis in the wake of a one-shot penalty he incurred because it was Davis the caddie, not Gibson the player, who retrieved Gibson's ball from a greenside hazard. The subsequent penalty dropped Gibson from T-2 to solo third, a difference of $12,000.Gibson took to Twitter Wednesday night to offer an apology, while Davis shared a lengthy video in which he confirmed he was fired "on the spot" and cited a USGA rules decision that he believed absolved the duo of any penalty.According to Davis, he told Gibson that the ball was underneath two rocks at which point Gibson uttered an expletive. Gibson then, according to Davis, "turned around, stopped looking and went back to the bag."Duncan is the vice president of rules, competitions and administration for the Web.com Tour, and he was the on-site rules official who made the ruling in question. He shared his recollection of the incident in a phone interview, one that conflicted with how Davis portrayed the situation."Contrary to what Brandon said, I did not find the ball," Duncan said. "(Gibson) was kind of looking in the high grass or whatever, and I turned around and said to Rhein that we had found the ball. And the caddie had actually sort of gotten behind me, and Rhein's now walking toward me, and I turn around and that's when (Davis) picked the ball up."And before I can even say a word, now Rhein goes, 'Well, I guess I can't play it now.'"The penalty was administered under Rule 18-2, which notes that one shot will be added if a caddie moves a ball while at rest without a player's authority. Decision 26-1/9 specifically addresses a caddie picking up a ball in a hazard, and Davis believed that it should have negated any potential penalty if there was "no doubt or it was reasonable to assume" the player would not have tried to hit his ball from the hazard.But the decision also stipulates that any doubt must be resolved "against the player," meaning the penalty must stand in such instances. In Duncan's view, the comment Gibson made about not having an opportunity to evaluate the ball for a potential shot meant the penalty should stand."I know when I see guys that I'd say are veteran caddies in a search like this, I can picture a few people and they've got the bag down and they let the player decide everything," Duncan said. "Touching a player's ball, or doing acts that that the player normally does in the foundation of golf, there's a lot of things that can actually get the player in trouble that the caddie does."Duncan noted that Decision 26-1/9 offers officials "a little wiggle room" in certain situations, but in this particular case he believes that the added stroke was the appropriate outcome."You're kind of trying to keep the onus on the player to decide what he's going to do," Duncan said, "and not really let the caddie get involved with that part of the game."
Here are caddies comments I was his caddy and did nothing wrong, here's the proof: Decision 26.1/9 A.There is no penalty under Rule 18-2 if there was no doubt or it was reasonable to assume from the player's actions or statements that he would make his next stroke from outside the water hazard.
Rules official explains, disputes caddie's version of Gibson
Rules official explains, disputes caddie's version of Gibson penalty. January 25, 2018
Golfer scolds, fires caddie on live TV - New York Post
Fast forward a couple of minutes, Gibson takes a penalty drop and then the official informs him he will receive an additional one-shot penalty for Davis "not getting consent" to pick up the ball. The docked shot was the difference between a tie for 2nd and solo 3rd. It also cost him $12,000 and Davis his job.
Golf Rules Drama Part 2: Referee Jim Duncan says that caddie
Web.com Tour rules official Jim Duncan's recollection of the events leading to Rhein Gibson's 72nd-hole penalty conflict with the version told by Gibson's recently fired caddie.
Rules Official Disputes Caddie's Penalty Claim
Official Disputes Caddie's Version of Gibson Penalty | Golf
Rules Official Disputes Caddie's Penalty Claim Chris Chaney Follow The bizarre and twisted story of Web.com Tour pro Rhein Gibson's 72nd-hole penalty took another turn late this week as the rules official who assessed the one-shot penalty that ultimately cost Gibson $12,000 spoke about the issue.
The Rhein Gibson headcover incident - forum.mygolfspy.com
The caddie claimed, that the referee (who told him about the penalty) was wrong, and referred to a Decision. 1) The referee's version: The caddie is not speaking the truth. Now the referee from the situation - Jim Duncan - has been interviewed and has given his take on the situation.
WATCH: Angry golfer throws head cover at caddie who cost him
But Davis's version of events wasn't backed by everyone. Web Tour rules official Jim Duncan disputes caddie @bdavistwo account of Rhein Gibson penalty.
Another Rules controversy Caddie Gets Penalized, Costs Pro
After Gibson took a one-shot penalty and hit his approach shot within feet of the cup, he fired a head cover from his putter at Davis' face. Wow, even I treated my caddies with more respect than
Jan 25, 2018 · Rhein Gibson's battle with his caddie is moving beyond the 18th hole. After Gibson hit his ball into a hazard on the final hole of the WEB.com Tour's Bahamas Great Abaco Classic on Wednesday
Caddie Brandon Davis hits back after Rhein Gibson fires him
If the ball is dead under 2 rocks, and the rules official saw that, what makes anyone think that the ball was not going to be picked up and a drop taken. The rules official, was wrong in the penalty, and I don't care who the rules guy is. 26.1/9 should be aploed based on the officials statement and the statement of the caddie.
Fired Web.com caddie makes impassioned plea defending his actions
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