It's in the rules. A clause in the law, however, says such accommodation doesn't have to be made if it fundamentally alters the operation of the business. The PGA said allowing Martin to ride while every other competitor walks does fundamentally alter the game. They might want to ride in a cart, too, PGA officials wondered. Let everybody ride in a cart.
Most golf courses require it anyway for nonprofessional golfers.
A federal district court and an appeals court agreed with Martin, allowing him to compete and use a golf cart. In 1998, the year he first was allowed on the PGA Tour, Martin scored a respectable 23rd at the U.S. Open. He qualified for the tour last year, but his game wasn't good enough to qualify for this year's tour. At the Tucson Open last weekend, Martin failed to make the cut to advance to the final rounds. Martin's right leg is becoming so weak that he might have to have it amputated.