Update: The PGA wasn’t playing the waiting game with Hodges and assessed him a one-stroke penalty.
Original: Technically speaking, a pro golfer on the PGA Tour can only let his ball sit on the lip of the cup for 10 seconds before they are forced to use an extra stroke to knock it in.
But there is a bit of wiggle room in Rule 13.3a of the Tour handbook. A player, and their playing partner, are allowed to determine a “reasonable” amount of time before starting the 10-second clock.
Lee Hodges should be thankful he was paired up with Jordan Spieth on Saturday at the PGA Championship as that reasonable threshold was met and then some during a wild putt for par on the 17th green.
Hodges completely nailed the line on his putt only for the ball to sit on the lip. And sit. And sit. And sit. For 35 seconds total. Then, and only then, did it decide to give into gravity and fall into the cup.
Lee Hodges was assessed a one-stroke penalty in Round 3 of the #PGAChamp for waiting past the 10-second limit. https://t.co/V1RWgVgxgf
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 20, 2023
It got us thinking about all the things Hodges could’ve while waiting to collect his par and we came up with quite a few options.
PGA Championship Leaderboard: Live leaderboard, schedule, tee times
1
Take a shot clock violation in the NBA
Hodges could’ve dribbled out the clock and then some. In fact, if he still has any college eligibility left he could’ve taken a shot clock violation in an NCAA game, where the limit is 35 seconds.
2
Strikeout in an MLB game
Wandy Peralta only needed 20 seconds to throw one of the fastest strikeouts we’ve ever seen. Imagine what he could’ve done with an extra 15 ticks on the clock.
Yankees relief pitcher Wandy Peralta struck out a hitter in 20 seconds pic.twitter.com/VwEBzyXH99
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) March 2, 2023
3
Scroll TikTok
The average TikTik is about 36 seconds, but many are far shorter than that. Hodges could’ve gotten through at least five videos if he was scrolling the right way.
4
Take a nap
As any new parent will tell you, when you get a chance to shut your eyes for even half a minute, you take it. No questions asked.
5
Complete two NASCAR Laps
If Ross Chastain is driving the way he did at Martinsville it’s entirely possible!
NEW. TRACK. RECORD.@RossChastain's final lap was 18.845 seconds, the fastest lap in @NASCAR Cup Series history at @MartinsvilleSwy. pic.twitter.com/Lmu1asxfEc
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) November 1, 2022
