TROON • Special measures to ensure that any in-play rules controversy at The Open will be resolved within minutes have been reinforced by the R&A in the light of the Dustin Johnson affair, which marred play on the back nine in the final round of last month's US Open at Oakmont.

The chief referee will, as usual, be located in the administration compound behind the 18th green and have access to video replays and always be accompanied by Peter Unsworth, chairman of the R&A Championship Committee, or Martin Slumbers, the R&A's chief executive.

The office, in turn, will be linked with every match referee on course and in a position to mete out instant justice should the situation arise.

The uncertainty over whether Johnson had moved the ball and would be penalised had damaged the spectacle at the US Open for players and spectators alike.

The American went on to win the tournament despite the situation created by the USGA - which would have likely unnerved other players in that position.

THE GUARDIAN