LPGA rookie disqualified in bizarre incident

AN LPGA player, competing in her first event as a full member, was disqualified from the Tour’s season opener for stepping "about three feet" outside the scoring tent having not signed her card.

Marina Alex, 23, was disqualified from the Pure Silk Bahamas Classic after she technically left the scoring area without signing her card.

The Vanderbilt graduate shot a 3-over 76 in just her fifth start on Tour after she earned her Tour card having finished third on the Symetra Tour money list last season.

“It was really bizarre,” Alex told GolfChannel.com. “I took one step outside scoring, about 3 feet, but it is what it is.

“I was upset, but I was more mad at myself. I knew I wasn’t focused in scoring the way I should have been, and I paid a price for it.”

She was scoring Laura Diaz’s card, which she had signed, and she thoroughly checked her own card before handing it over.

“I was going through what I normally do, checking my scores hole by hole, but I didn’t have a great day on the course, and I was a little distracted,” Alex said.

“My hip was bothering me, and I was thinking I need to get over to see the trainer. I knew I signed Laura’s scorecard, but I didn’t realize I did not sign mine.

“I handed my card over to scoring, asked if everything was OK. I was told, ‘Yes, everything looks good,' and I stepped outside the tent to my bag. As I was stepping away, I was told, ‘Wait a minute, you didn’t sign your scorecard.’”

She called LPGA rules official Brad Alexander and was told she would have to be disqualified.

“I’m really sorry,” Alex said. “I’m not going to fight anything. It was a mistake, and I will never do it again.”