Rules chief defends Thompson penalty
Print Edition
LPGA Tour rules officials defended their decision to hit Lexi Thompson with a four-stroke penalty on Sunday, a move that denied the American victory in the first major of the season at the Ana Inspiration.
Thompson was left distraught after being informed following the 12th hole of the final round, when she led by three, that she was to be penalized four strokes for an incident on Saturday that was spotted by a television viewer.
Although Thompson fought back to play the remaining six holes in two under, she lost an agonizing sudden death playoff to South Korea’s Ryu So-yeon at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California.
But as Ryu celebrated with the traditional leap into Poppie’s Bond off the 18th green, the golf world was left in uproar by the decision that effectively robbed Thompson of the title.
Tiger Woods led a chorus of incredulity across the golf world as the controversy unfolded. “Viewers at home should not be officials wearing stripes,” the 14-time major champion tweeted.
“Lexi lost lead on Sunday due to something that happened Saturday. Am I getting that right?,” Hunter Mahan chimed. “Common sense just thrown right out the window!!”
The LPGA stood by its decision however, revealing that in an email from a television viewer, Thompson had been spotted improperly replacing her ball after putting out on the 17th on Saturday.
Her third round 67 was changed to a 71 as a result — a two-shot penalty for the infraction, and two shots for signing an incorrect scorecard.
LPGA Tour rules official Sue Witters, who had informed a stunned Thompson of the penalty after the 12th, said she understood the outrage of fans but insisted no other option was available.
“Sure, but what’s my choice? A violation in the rules and then it would be the opposite story: Oh, they knew, why didn’t they do anything about it,” Witters said. “I can’t go to bed tonight knowing that I let a rule slide. You know, it’s a hard thing to do, and it made me sick to be honest with you.”
Thompson was seen choking back tears after being informed of the penalty.
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