PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem got a win-win when the Tour policy Board ruled to ban anchored putters. (USATSI)
Commissioner Tim Finchem got a win-win when the Tour Policy Board ruled to ban anchored putters. (USATSI)

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Earlier this year, the USGA and R&A ruled that anchored putters would be banned from tournaments sponsored by their respective organizations (U.S. Open, British Open, etc.)

It was expected -- most golf analysts predicted -- that the PGA Tour would follow suit. The pressure would be too much for them to employ one set of rules on PGA Tour events and then have their golfers switch to a different set for USGA and R&A events.

That's exactly what happened Monday as the PGA Tour Policy Board had a long meeting near White Sulpher Springs in West Virginia at the Greenbrier Classic, as reported by Jason Sobel of Golf Channel.

Again, this wasn't unexpected. It's exactly what we thought the PGA Tour would do. Beginnning in 2016, all forms of anchored putters will be banned from PGA Tour events.

The one caveat, as reported by Adam Schupak of GolfWeek, is that the PGA Tour board has asked the USGA to consider prolonging the anchored putter ban on amateurs to 2024 instead of 2016.

In a lot of ways, PGA commissioner Tim Finchem got the best of both worlds here. He was able to fight for his golfers, as it were, but then wash his hands of it once the USGA and R&A ruled. Players understand the pressure put on him and won't hold it against him.

The most interesting thing now is how golfers like Keegan Bradley, Adam Scott and Tim Clark will respond. 

As you probably remember, a group of golfers including Scott hired legal representation earlier this year with no real plan for what they would do in the future once a ruling was made.

Now that one has been made, what will they do? Sue the tour (doubtful)? Pursue a grandfather exemption (maybe)? Nothing (likely)?

Stay tuned.

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