Bethesda, Md. - During the second round of the US Open, Michael Whitehead hit his tee shot on the par 3 13th hole well to the left of the green. His ball was in deep brush, but he decided to play it. About 10 feet in front of him was a 3-foot high sprinkler control box. He definitely would have to play over the box to get to the green.

A sprinkler control box is an immovable obstruction. Rule 24-2 states a player has interference from an immovable obstruction when "a ball lies in or on the obstruction or when the obstruction interferes with the player's stance or the area of his intended swing." Since Whitehead's ball was far enough behind the box that he would not impact it with his swing, he was not eligible for relief.

Whitehead elected to try to hit his ball over the box and onto the green. Unfortunately the lie was so severe, he was only about to advance the ball to where it hit the sprinkler box and fell beside it. At this point, he did have interference for the area of intended swing and was able to take relief.

In taking relief, he found the point nearest to where his ball lay that gave him complete relief for his swing, stance and the lie of the ball that was not nearer the hole. He then was able to drop the ball within one club-length of that point, not nearer the hole.

After his free drop, he played to the green and made a nice putt to save a bogey-4.

This is different from the Temporary Immovable Obstructions that were erected for the championship. Players do receive relief when the TIO intervenes directly between themselves and the hole.

Written by John Vander Borght, manager of Rules communications for the USGA.