Martin Case Goes To Supreme Court

America's PGA Tour plan to ask the US Supreme Court to decide whether Casey Martin should be allowed to ride a cart.

Roy Reardon, who began working on the case on Martin's behalf when he won his lawsuit two years ago in federal court, said the tour have asked for a 60-day extension to file their motion with the Supreme Court and were given until July 5.

Martin, a Stanford University team-mate of Tiger Woods, suffers from a rare circulatory disease in his right leg that makes it difficult for him to walk. He successfully sued the PGA Tour in 1998 for the right to ride a cart, and became the first player to ride in the US Open as well as the tour. 

Complicating the issue was a similar lawsuit by Indiana club pro Ford Olinger against the US Golf Association. Olinger also sued for a cart because of a degenerative hip, but a court in his home state ruled against him.

The tour maintains that walking is an integral part of the game. Martin sued - and won - under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"I'm disappointed they did this," Reardon said. "They've had the ability to see Casey perform, first on the Nike Tour and now on the big tour, and they have learned, I'm sure, that he has no advantage over other golfers when he uses his cart."

Martin has made the cut in six out of his 12 tournaments this year, his best finish a tie for 17th in Tucson. He is 157th on the money list with $71,721 and is in jeopardy of losing his card for next year.