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What Does WD Mean In Golf?

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What Does WD Mean In Golf?

In golf, wd means to withdraw.

This means that a player gives up his opportunity to compete in that tournament.

If a player withdraws during a tournament, the leaderboard will show the letters wd next to their name.

When Can A Player WD (withdraw)?

A player can withdraw before a tournament or during a tournament.

For most tours, a player can withdraw for any reason before the commitment deadline, usually the Friday before the tournament starts.

After the commitment deadline or during a tournament, the PGA Tour Handbook says that a player may wd only due to “injury or other disability which requires medical attention, or serious personal emergency.”

In these cases, players must submit written evidence supporting why they withdrew.

Common Reasons for Withdrawing from A Tournament

Injury

Sickness

Family Emergency

  • This reason is typically cited when a player’s wife goes into labor during a tournament, as Hunter Mahan did in 2013 when he was leading after 36 holes.

Poor Play

  • Although heavily discouraged by governing bodies, you will see this if a player plays exceptionally badly on Thursday or Friday. They will claim some type of injury to avoid a penalty for withdrawing due to poor play.

Does A Player Receive Prize Money If They Withdraw?

If they wd on Thursday or Friday and it is a tournament with a cut, then no, they do not receive any prize money.

According to the PGA Tour Handbook:

Any professional who is disqualified or withdraws for any reason from an official money tournament after making the cut shall be paid last place, unofficial prize money. A professional who
begins play at an official money event without a cut and is disqualified or withdraws for any
reason shall be paid last place, unofficial money.

PGA tour handbook

Last place, unofficial prize money means they will receive money, but it will not count for the season or career money list ranking.

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