Lexi Thompson lost the LPGA’s first major of the season when she was assessed four strokes in penalties with six holes to go, costing her what looked like an easy win.
The penalties, in the form of a pair of two-stroke penalties, came when a television viewer emailed the LPGA, informing them that Thompson had misplaced her ball on short putt on the 17th hole nearly 24 hours earlier in the third round.
Thompson eventually lost the tournament in a playoff and the ruling left her in tears. The rest of the golf world had a different reaction: anger, bewilderment, and mockery.
PGA Tour veteran John Peterson may have had the best reaction that summed up the feelings of many:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/848712851850231808
Lol, @LPGA
While that was straight, and to the point, he was not alone.
Even Tiger Woods was not happy with what went down, even before the round ended.
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/848688307244593152
Viewers at home should not be officials wearing stripes. Let’s go @Lexi, win this thing anyway.
Justin Thomas also called out the ability of fans to be able to assess penalties.
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/848690652649009152
Whatever number this is that people can call in, it needs to go away. Hoping it doesn’t cost @Lexi! https://t.co/wtKkU9pg2o
Peter Uihlein of the European Tour was as flabbergasted as anybody.
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/848685304399749126
Am I seriously watching Lexi be given a 4 stroke penalty in the middle of a tournament? What the heck did I just see?
Even other LPGA golfers were upset about what happened.
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/848688070962561025
Who’s watching what is happening to @Lexi @LPGA? Can’t believe this is happening. A viewers calls in a rule a day late or ever…. Not right
Golf is supposed to be a sport of honor, a sport in which golfers govern themselves.
Still, it is hard not to imagine how silly this would all be if something similar happened in another sport.
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