Smith is disqualified over putter in Orlando

ROOKIE American professional, Taylor Smith, is likely to have Rule 4-1c (v) imbedded into his mind for the rest of his playing career after the 29 year old player was disqualified for using an illegal putter in the Walt Disney Classic at Orlando on Sunday.

Smith, who had tied with Tiger Woods on 20 under par, was denied the chance to play off for the $216,000 top prize when US PGA Tour officials upheld a complaint from his playing partner Lennie Clements that the two grip putter, the bottom segment possessing a flat face, was contrary to the rules.

The appropriate rule states: "A putter may have more than one grip, provided each is circular in cross section and the axis of each coincides with the axis of the shaft." Tour officials went along with Clements' observations that the grips weren't perfectly round.

Clements first noticed a possible problem with Smith's putter grip on the fourth or fifth hole, but took a closer look at the ninth hole and informed US PGA officials. Smith played the back nine under appeal after being informed of a possible infraction after completing play at the ninth green.

"I know you can have a flat grip on the putter. It was just clearly obvious to me. Once I felt it, I knew the rules," said Clements, who claimed the only reason he was au fait with the situation was because the same thing almost happened to him - earlier in the season. During a Pro Am event, someone had questioned the legality of his putter and, when he checked it out, he was told the necessary rule.

Smith birdied the 18th hole for a final round 67 to force what he thought was a play off with 20 year old Woods, but was informed of his disqualification as soon as he entered the recorder's tent. Smith has never won on the US PGA Tour.

Woods, however, has made a remarkable start to life as a professional and, ominously, warned: "I haven't really played my best yet. I've managed my game well, got myself in position."

The three time US amateur champion has earned $734,794 in just two months as a professional and is the first player with five straight top five finishes on the US Tour since Curtis Strange in 1982. Woods has also earned a Tour exemption to 1999 and is the first player to win twice as a rookie since Robert Gamez in 1990.

Woods's win in Orlando moved him to 23rd place in the US Tour's money list, gaining him entry into this week's Tour Championship (limited to the top 30 players in the Order of Merit), nudging 1993 US Open champion Lee Janzen out of the event.