Corey Eastwood, CGCS said: I think the ruling was wrong. Isn't a bunker a Hazard? I think his playing partner jokingly said something like You sure are nice to the official.
I was a bit dumbfounded by the ruling. What if there was no liner and the player still could not achieve firm footing within the bunker? For instance if the sub-grade of the bunker were a rock material? Would the player then be given relief? There are many instances which a player cannot take a "normal" stance within a bunker. At the British Open, for instance, Matt Kuchar had an awkward bunker shot that required him to take a stance outside the bunker.
The only reason for the ruling that I can think of is the liner itself. Does this then create another can of worms as it relates to liners?