Caught in a trap

Poor Dustin Johnson.

The American held a three-shot lead entering the final round of the U.S. Open before stumbling to an 82 in the final round. But what happened on Sunday at the PGA Championship at Whistling Straights was even more of a stomach punch.

Johnson led by a stroke in the final round as he reached the 18th tee. His shot veer far right into gallery an into a bunker. Or was it? The sandy patch, despite being trampled on by the gallery for four days, is indeed deemed a bunker by PGA standards, and Johnson grounded his club.

As any golfer or golf fans know, this is a two-stroke penalty. But Johnson said "it never crossed his mind" that it was a bunker. He was assessed a two-stroke penalty and missed the subsequent playoff, eventually won by Martin Kaymer.

It's easy to feel for Johnson, but he should have known to ask for a ruling, as an official was within an earshot of him at the time of the infraction. Johnson was noble in defeat, never claiming he didn't ground the club, but was rather surprised by the ruling, and the fact that it was in fact a bunker.

As a consolation prize, Johnson's fifth-place finish earned him a spot on this year's Ryder Cup team, and hopefully he and have a big impact as the U.S. attempts to defend the title. Furthermore, here's to hoping he can finally win that elusive first major next season.