The PGA Tour announced it will implement the ban on anchored strokes due to come into effect in 2016, ending fears of a destructive split in golf at least for now.
The R&A and USGA, the game’s governing bodies, approved Rule 14-1b in May after consideration of comments and suggestions made during the 90-day consultation process.
The European Tour supported the proposal, but the PGA Tour and PGA of America had previously voiced strong opposition, raising the possibility of different rules being followed in different events.
The PGA Tour runs the lucrative American circuit and plays a dominant role in staging World Golf Championship events, while the PGA of America organise the US PGA Championship and American Ryder Cup team.
Traditionally they adopt the rules of golf as determined by the R&A and USGA, who run the Open Championship and US Open respectively.
In May, the PGA Tour said it would discuss the matter with its Player Advisory Council and Policy Board members and, having done so yesterday, it announced it would “allow” the ban.
A PGA Tour statement read: “The PGA Tour Policy Board today acknowledged that the USGA’s ban on anchored strokes, known as Rule 14-1b, will apply to PGA Tour competitions beginning on January 1, 2016.”
PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said: “The Board also was of the opinion that having a single set of rules on acceptable strokes applicable to all professional competitions worldwide was desirable and would avoid confusion.”