Competitors in the Millennium Open at St Andrews will still be able to use the long broom-handle putter during the Championship after the Rules changes which are effective from January 1, 2000 reprieved the club which many feared would be outlawed because it did not conform to traditional design. The four-yearly review of the Rules of Golf by the R&A and the United States Golf Association came down in favour of the long putter, but has banned caddies from standing directly behind players while shots are being played.