If possible I would like a clairification on the disqualification of S. Cink at last weeks tournament.  I have reviewed the rule, as well as the Decisions that apply to Rule 13-4.  If you cannot rake a bunker after hitting out of said bunker, and possibly in another bunker at some time during the round, have you then tested the sand in the bunker you are now in and hence a pently?

Thank you for you help

 Hi Oldfer,

I didn't see what happened, but I've heard and read about the ruling - I think what is at the heart of this ruling is that his stance was in the bunker (or he was in the bunker at one point) but his ball was outside of the bunker - so he really didn't hit the shot out of the sand, he just stood in it - see this thread for Golf Addict's explanation:  http://www.tees2greens.com/forums/t/2105.aspx 

Here is a press release from the USGA:  http://www.usga.org/news/2008/april/JRCAnnouncement.html 

Hope this helps... 

Chipshot

Thanks for the followup info.  Most unfortunate the"rule of equity" was not used.  Also, just wonder how many players have not been penalized due to this same situation. At least the USGA has tried to clairify the situation.

 When I was watching some of the Nabisco LPGA tourney last Friday they talked about this ruling because a player (I think Natalie Gulbis) checked with a rules official after she hit from a fairway bunker into a greenside one - she was fine because she hit from inside the bunker, but I thought it was interesting that the Cink DQ has really got people thinking.

What I hadn't read until today was that Cink was talking to Zach Johnson after the round about rulings and this came up and he went to the rules official and basically DQ'ed himself?   

Interesting stuff - I'm going to stay away from sand traps.