Rules violation costs Johnson shot at a major

HAVEN, Wis. - Early on during the final round Sunday, an on-course radio reporter had this to say about the layout at Whistling Straits: "This course has 1,200 bunkers, and every one of them is evil."

For Dustin Johnson, there's definitely one bunker that ranks as the most evil - ever.

That would be the little number way, way right of the fairway on the 18th hole. It's the one that will go down in history as the one that kept Johnson from possibly making history - as the champion of the 92nd PGA Championship.

It's the bunker that Johnson, who came to 18 with a 1-stroke lead, landed his wayward drive in. It's also the one that had been trampled down by the gallery and resembled a bunker only in the fact that it had hard, flattened sand inside.

But it was definitely a bunker, and Johnson definitely grounded his club in it before hitting his approach shot. That move earned him a 2-stroke penalty and ended any hopes of winning his first major.

Instead, it was Martin Kaymer taking home his first major in a playoff win over Bubba Watson.

"Going into the playoff without him, it didn't seem right," Watson said. "It's very heartbreaking to hear about Dustin. The guy's played great golf and just made a mistake."

Initially, Johnson's playing partner Nick Watney, thought it was him who had screwed up.

"When the official came up (after Johnson tapped in for bogey), I was totally shocked," Watney said. "I thought he was coming to me with the way my day was going, but he asked Dustin if he grounded his club.

"Dustin played so great today, especially down the stretch - I feel for him."

This coming from a guy who entered the final round with a 3-stroke lead, saw it erased on the first hole, and wound up shooting an 81.

Imagine how Johnson felt.

"I don't know if I can describe it," Johnson said in the locker room.

After being informed on the 18th green, Johnson silently made his way up the steep steps to the clubhouse, setting off a behind-the-scenes frenzy that began with the rules official who had popped the big question to Johnson.

"Somebody thought they saw it on TV, so I asked him and his response was 'I don't remember, I don't recall, I don't think I did,'" David Price said. "Very unfortunate.

"But it's the first thing that is written on the rules they made for the players; that all sand is a bunker."

While Price was holding court, Johnson was rushed into the clubhouse with other officials to discuss the incident and to go over the video while 50 or so media stood outside peering into the window.

Finally, the door opened and Johnson's caddie came out shaking his head while carrying his bag - and not to the first playoff hole.

The decision had been made. A 2-stroke penalty had been assessed. Johnson, who blew a 3-stroke lead in the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach earlier this summer, was dropped into a tie for fifth place at 9 under.

It was the cruelest ruling at a major since Roberto de Vicenzo accidentally signed for a higher score at the 1968 Masters, and the victory went to Bob Goalby.

"It never once crossed my mind that I was in a sand trap," Johnson said. "But we looked at it on TV and I definitely grounded my club, which, I mean, I never denied."

In the end Johnson was denied one of golf's biggest prizes.

Asked if he felt something had been stolen from him Sunday evening at Whistling Straits, Johnson said, "Maybe a little bit. But you know, that's how things go."