R&A rules, but it's not OK

The traditional right of the Royal and Ancient to administer the rules of golf is being challenged by the body that represents the game's two most powerful figures.

Tim Finchem, commissioner of the United States PGA Tour which countsworld No1 Tiger Woods among its members, believes a new independent body should have global responsibility for the rules of the game, particularly as they relate to clubs and balls.

Finchem, whose Tour will this year offer over £140 million in prize money including the £4m on offer in the Accenture World Match Play tournament here in Carlsbad, knows his views will anger those who believe the laws of golf should remain safe in the hands of the R&A at its home at St Andrews in Scotland.

But there is genuine concern over the rules governing equipment which are different in the United States to the rest of the world. One anomaly is that players competing in US Tour events are not allowed to use the latest breed of giant-headed driver permitted in Europe at such events like the Ryder Cup and The Open.

Finchem said: "Two groups writing the rules instead of one for a global sport doesn't seem to us to make a lot of sense."