LPGA Tour pro DQ'd for slow play doubles down on gripes: "It's not fair"

LPGA Tour pro Carlota Ciganda claimed at the AIG Women's Open she is being unfairly targeted by rules officials over her pace of play.

LPGA Tour pro DQ'd for slow play doubles down on gripes:

LPGA Tour star Carlota Ciganda caught the headlines for being disqualified at the Amundi Evian Championship after refusing to sign her scorecard having been issued a pace of play penalty. 

Despite admitting she is not the quickest player, she later claimed she was being unfairly targeted by rules officials. 

The topic was brought up once again during the AIG Women's Open at Walton Heath. 

Ciganda carded an opening round of 70, which meant she was positioned to make the 36-hole cut and mount a charge over the weekend. 

She was asked by a reporter if she had made an effort to improve her pace of play. 

Ciganda said that she has been practicing her routine, particularly on the greens. 

The Spaniard also pointed out her group was waiting on the players in front in the first round, which can only be a good sign. 

She said:

"You have to understand that it's professional golf and we are playing for a living and sometimes majors if you hit it in the rough or a bad situation, it's going to take longer.
"If you make a bogey, it's just a couple more minutes, so I think they should understand that a bit more.
"They always say the time starts when it's your turn to play, but when is that? It's just so subjective.
"I think in the end, if they put a referee in every group, a lot of girls, they will be penalized, and I think sometimes it's not fair."

By day's end it was Ally Ewing who hit the front. Dame Laura Davies withdrew after a tough start. 

Read more about that here

As for Ciganda, the 33-year-old is bidding to claim her maiden major. She has had a number of good finishes over the years. 

Her best finishes at the Women's Open came in 2018 and 2019 when she placed T-7. 

She wants to put the slow play chatter behind her now. 

Ciganda added:

"At the end of the day I'm here to play golf and I’m trying to do my best. I think I am a nice person and I respect everyone when I play, so I just hope they can do the same with me.
"Some players, they play quicker and some players, they are slower. Yeah, I mean, of course, I can be quicker, but a lot of them, they can be quicker, too. I don't want to put too much focus. I just play golf and I love what I do, and that's it."

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