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Oct 19th, 2017
Leading golf official resigns after new rules controversy
As all scores scrubbed from first round of event
Words: GolfPunk
Choi Hye-jin
A leading Korean golf official has resigned after a new rules controversy. Here’s what occurred.
Choi Hye-jin and Park You-na were given two-shot penalties on Thursday’s opening round after marking their balls and then picking them up, in the belief that they were on the putting surface when in reality they were just off the green.
The Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) later discovered that four other players had committed the same offence.
“The committee discussed the matter and decided to rescind the penalties issued to Choi Hye-jin and Park You-na and decided not to impose penalties on the four other players,” a KLPGA official, who declined to be identified, told Reuters.
This news was not taken well by the rest of the field, with a long players meeting ensuing, with some players event threatened to quit the event.
The KLPGA eventually decided to cancel all the first round scores.
“We deeply apologise to players, golf fans and sponsors who helped organise the tournament,” the KLPGA said in a statement.
”We will do better to meet the expectations of those who love the KLPGA and will do our best to prevent similar cases from happening again.”
The KLPGA confirmed that leading rules official Choi Jin-ha had resigned over the incident.
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Ryan Foxe's 2 shot penalty for having his ball stolen at the Italian Open
