Bizarre rules drama turns golf playoff on its head after premature celebration

There was playoff drama at the CSK Steel Women’s Open on the LET Access Tour, which saw an unusual rule situation come into play on the second playoff hole.

Moa Svedenskiold headed into a playoff alongside Ireland’s Beth Coulter and German amateur Lena Geier after all three finished 5-over par for the tournament.

Geier was knocked out on the first playoff hole, with Coulter and Svedenskiold proceeding to the second hole, where controversy struck.

The Swede made par after a delightful approach shot from rough near a greenside bunker set up an easy putt. 

Coulter, however, failed to make her putt for par, going on to pick her ball up, and the celebrations then ensued on the 18th green.

Some 10 minutes later, a rules official approached Svedenskiold with bad news – she had been given a two-stroke penalty for unlawfully building a stance in the bunker. 

That turned her par into a double-bogey.

That’s not all. 

Coulter was then given a one-stroke penalty for picking her ball up, before holing out for double-bogey and forcing the playoff onto a third hole.

Confused? You aren't the only one... 

Both players went on to bogey the next as the playoff continued to a fourth hole. 

Svedenskiold then struck her tee shot into a fairway bunker, while Coulter sent hers into the hazard area. 

The Swede ended up saving par, while her opponent could only bogey the hole, finally handing Svedenskiold victory.

Moa Svedenskiold eventually wins second LET Access Series title

“It's been a long day, so I'm exhausted,” admitted Svedenskiold after lifting the trophy. 

“Obviously really, really proud of how I handled it. I was standing in the bunker. The ball was outside and the rough. I took my stance, I hit the shot and made par. Beth missed her putt for par and I thought I won.

“Back on the 18th, I was just trying to stay calm. I was trying to stay in myself and trust my game. Obviously it was confusing at first, but then the ruling… there was an official behind me so I was okay, I’ll just continue trying to stay patient and played my game and ended up winning.

“I’m really proud of how I handled it. (On the third hole), it’s a really hard finish hole, with the wind just being across from left to right, pushing it towards the water. So I was just like I’m just going to take it from there. I hit it on the green and two-putted for bogey and Beth made bogey. There’s always a chance so just do your best.”

Coulter was looking for her second LET Access Series win in as many weeks having triumphed at the Irish Challenge last week.

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