On June 9th, 1940, Lawson Little tied with Gene Sarazen for the US Open at Canterbury. Even Little's play-off victory, however, was overshadowed by the final-round disqualification of six players. Ed "Porky" Oliver, EJ Harrison, Leland Gibson, Johnny Bulla, Ky Laffoon and Claude Harmon were found guilty of starting the round too early, so as to avoid a pending storm. Oliver, whose 287 aggregate tied with Little and Sarazen, broke down in tears when the USGA held fast to their decision.

TEASER: After heavy rain, a player plays a stroke that comes to rest under a tree. A branch of the tree interferes with the player's backswing. Before playing his next stroke, the player shakes the water off this branch in order to eliminate the possibility of dislodged water distracting him. Is this a breach of Rule 13-2?

ANSWER: Yes. In moving the branch, the player eliminated the distraction caused by the water and thereby improved the area of his swing.