Last updated on July 8th, 2023 at 10:57 am
US Women’s Open rookie, Natthakritta Vongtaveelap from Thailand, finished five holes. However, organizers disqualified her from the tournament. According to the USGA, her caddie used a rangefinder that caused her disqualification.
The Thai rookie was at par after five holes. According to pay per head bookie sources, her caddie Jinsup Kim used a device to measure the distance.
According to golf sportsbooks, the LPGA allows rangefinders. However, organizers do not allow its use at Women’s British Open and US Women’s Open. Vongtaveelap’s agent, Michael Yim, said they overlooked the rule.
US Women’s Open Rookie Disqualified
Men’s players on the PGA Tour and its feeder tour, the Korn Ferry Tour, are not allowed to use the gadgets. Zach Williams played on the first two holes of the Memorial Health Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour. Organizers penalized him for using a rangefinder.
Disqualification for Vongtaveelap spoiled an otherwise promising first campaign for the world No. 90, who made his professional debut in November 2022. Vongtaveelap, a five-time champion on the Thai LPGA Tour, had a sensational debut on the LPGA Tour in February by coming second behind American Lilia Vu at the Honda LPGA Classic by a single stroke.
After that, she finished tied for sixth in the Lotte Championship. However, she failed to qualify at any of the five LPGA Tour events she entered before the US Women’s Open.
After the first round, Xiyu Janet Lin of China and Kim Hyo-joo of South Korea are tied for the lead with scores of four under par 68. According to sports news for bookies, Lin is seeking her first major championship. In addition, Kim strives to add to her 2014 Evian Championship victory and revenge an excruciating playoff loss to Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn in 2018. Both Lin and Kim have five birdies and a lone bogey.
Both golfers are excited to compete at Pebble Beach, which will host the women’s major for the first time in the tournament’s historic 104-year history.
A group of six players, including the Irish amateur Aine Donegan, are close behind. The 144th-ranked amateur in the world, making her major and LPGA Tour debut, recorded an eagle and five birdies to come within a stroke of the leading duo after starting with back-to-back bogeys.
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