The sport of golf "has only begun to feel the
ramifications" of Casey Martin's court victory, according to
Clifton Brown of the N.Y. TIMES. Brown: "Will other golfers
challenge the PGA Tour for the right to use a cart? Will
the tour eventually conclude that it no longer pays to fight
Martin? ... If Martin is successful on the Nike Tour, will
some of his competitors feel that he has an unfair
advantage?" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/12). CNN/SI's Ed Werder: "Since
the PGA argued providing Martin a cart would be giving him
an unfair advantage, the Tour could soon confront other
players who agree with that contention, and demand to ride
their way through tournaments" ("CNN/SI," 2/11). But in
Boston, Dan Shaughnessy writes that other players will not
seek the use of a cart: "Forget it. ... Martin's situation
is highly unusual" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/12). Martin: "I know
the PGA Tour has unfortunately got a headache now as far as
do they let everyone ride now or do they keep it just me,
and I don't have all the answers for that" ("CNN/SI," 2/11).
UN-APPEALING PROCESS? The AP's Ron Sirak writes the
Tour "may have to go beyond the notoriously liberal court"
in San Francisco's Ninth District, where the first appeal
will take place, if it is to win its appeal. The process
"could take years," perhaps "longer than Martin's leg will
be able to stand competitive golf" (AP/DETROIT NEWS, 2/12).
ESPN's Jimmy Roberts reported the appeal process "should
take about two years" (ESPN, 2/11). Martin, on the Tour's
appeal: "The public, I think, has spoken. The courts have
spoken. You'd think they'd get it" ("CNN/SI," 2/11).
A BOOST TO THE TOUR: On ESPN, Jimmy Roberts noted the
possibility of Martin being offered sponsor exemptions for
events looking to boost star power ("SportsCenter," 2/12).
Martin, on sponsor exemptions: "I'm not going to seek any
exemptions, but if somebody comes to me to play, I'd be
hard-pressed to say no" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/12). Tulane sports
law professor Gary Roberts said he "wouldn't be surprised if
the PGA didn't want to lose" the case. Roberts: "Now, the
interest in [Martin] is at a fever pitch. The tour will get
tremendous attention when he plays, and that will mean
higher TV ratings and more money" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 2/12).
WHITHER U.S. OPEN? When asked whether he plans to
attempt to qualify for the U.S. Open, which is run by the
USGA, and not bound to abide by the court's decision, Martin
said, "I would hope that they would honor this decision. I
think they should and I'd be really disappointed if they
didn't" (Glenn Sheeley, ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 2/12).
