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Azinger Could Catch Heat From PGA Tour
If He Withdrew From Tourney To Play Poker
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PGA Tour player Paul Azinger withdrew from the U.S. Bank Championship two weeks
ago after telling alternate Dicky Pride, who replaced Azinger in the field, that
his dad “was to undergo surgery,” but he played in the World Series
of Poker that same weekend, according to Bob Wolfley of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL
SENTINEL. PGA Tour policy “requires a player who withdraws from a tournament
after the commitment deadline” of 5:00pm ET the Friday before the event
to “provide in writing the reason for the withdrawal.” If he does
not, the player is subject to disciplinary action from the Tour. PGA Tour Senior
VP & COO Henry Hughes said if a player withdraws after the deadline, “it’s
considered something we look strongly at and we make sure it doesn’t happen
unless there is an explanation. ... We try and protect our tournaments that way.
The players have two weeks to respond as to why they had an improper withdrawal
or late withdrawal. We have not heard from Paul yet.” Hughes added that
withdrawing from an event “to play in a poker tournament would be viewed
as improper.” Azinger played in last weekend’s Buick Open, and he
was asked if he would have withdrawn had he not been eliminated from the WSOP.
Azinger responded, “For a shot at $11.8[M]? You’re darn right I would
have dropped out.” Azinger could not be reached for comment (
MILWAUKEE
JOURNAL SENTINEL, 8/6).
