LPGA Tour rookie DISQUALIFIED in maiden U.S. Women's Open!
PGA Tour rookie Natthakritta Vongtaveelap was disqualified during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open.
LPGA Tour rookie Natthakritta Vongtaveelap was disqualified during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open.
The reason? Her caddie used a rangefinder on multiple occasions on Thursday at Pebble Beach.
In a statement, the governing body that oversees the major, the USGA, said:
Vongtaveelap, 20, teed off on the back nine and was told of the infraction after she played the 14th hole of the iconic course.
She was level par after five holes with one birdie and one bogey.
You might be wondering why her caddie used a rangefinder. Well, the measuring devices are legal most weeks on the LPGA Tour but they are prohibited during the U.S. Women's Open and AIG Women's Open.
GolfMagic reported last week how Zach Williams was disqualified on his Korn Ferry Tour debut for the same reason.
"I should have known, and its [sic] completely on me,” Williams posted on social media. "Hard to swallow but you have to. I'll be back in no time."
For Vongtaveelap, this was her maiden U.S. Women's Open. She has picked up five wins in her career on the Thai LPGA Tour but is yet to claim victory in the U.S.
By day's end there was a surprise story developing at the major. Irish Amateur Aine Donegan was one shot off the lead despite arriving late and her driver being broken.
Leona Maguire also started well, posting a 69 to trail by one. Bright young talent Rose Zhang, the 20-year-old American who won on her LPGA Tour debut after a glittering amateur career, opened with a 74.
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