Rules refresher could come in Nick of time

LONDON - British golf legend Nick Faldo believes players need to be "brought up to speed" on the sport's complicated rulebook to avoid any repeat of the rows that have blighted recent major championships.

The latest high-profile incident came earlier this month when Lexi Thompson of the United States, who was leading by three shots in the final round of the ANA Inspiration, the first women's major of the year, was given a four-shot penalty for an incident that took place the previous day.

Thompson had improperly replaced her ball for a one-foot putt during the third round, but the indiscretion only came to light after a television viewer emailed officials, who then imposed the penalty while Thompson was on the course in Rancho Mirage, California.