LPGA officials defend controversial ruling
LOS ANGELES: 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 penalised four strokes for an incident in Saturday’s third round spotted by a television viewer.
Although Thompson fought back to play the remaining six holes in two under, she lost an agonising sudden death play-off to South Korea’s Ryu So-Yeon at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California.
The LPGA stood by their decision, 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.”
LPGA executive Heather Daly Donofrio also defended the decision of rules officials.
“When you have a situation like this, it’s extremely difficult,” Donofrio said.
“And it’s extremely upsetting for everybody, and this is the last thing that the rules team wants to do.
“But their job is to enforce the rules of the game, regardless of who the player is and what the situation is and what the championship is.
“And it’s not always well received when the rules official do their jobs.”
Playing partner Suzann Pettersen, who finished a stroke back on 275 along with South Korean Park In-Bee and Australian Minjee Lee, was impressed with Thompson’s resilience.
“For her to come back with those birdies shows the character she is,” Pettersen said. “Just true class from Lexi.”