The United States Golf Association believes last year's US Open rules fiasco with winner Dustin Johnson won't be repeated at Erin Hills, after announcing sweeping changes to the officiating of the tournament.
On Tuesday, USGA officials revealed a five-person rules committee will be spearheaded by a chief referee armed with the power to make "instantaneous decisions" on rulings for US Open competitors.
The USGA will also have four on-course video review locations equipped with tablet devices to "assist in expediting rules decisions".
The changes are in response to the 2016 US Open at Oakmont, when the USGA came under heavy fire for informing Johnson of a possible one-shot penalty for moving his ball on the putting green at address, while he led during the final round, but without confirming the infraction.
It left the big-hitting American with a cloud of uncertainty hanging over him as he chased his maiden major championship win but the 32-year-old hung on for a three-shot triumph.
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In December, the USGA adopted a local rule to allow a ball or ball marker that's accidentally moved on a putting green to be replaced without penalty.
"If we're being honest, we're human. We know we've had some issues the past two years. But moving forward, we want a nice, smooth US Open," said USGA executive director Mike Davis.
John Bodenhamer, senior managing director of rules and competitions, is confident the 117th US Open will be bereft of rules drama.
"We've empowered our chief referee to make instantaneous decisions; it will not take as long and we will not leave that uncertainty if similar circumstances (to Johnson) come up this year," said Bodenhamer.
"Last year we did not anticipate pinch points with the bridges (at Oakmont) and it took us too long."
Davis also said the US Open's 18-hole playoff format would not change, citing Tiger Woods' playoff victory at the 2008 Open among reasons why it provided a spectacle.
"We've had good experiences with that... great three-man playoff in 1994 at Oakmont and think about that magical 18-hole playoff with Tiger and Rocco (Mediate) in '08.
"We could get one where maybe it would change our mind. It's ultimately up to the championship committee. I'm kind of hoping it doesn't happen under my watch."
