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Lexi Thompson Hit with Another Rules Violation

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Rules violations usually aren’t that common in the professional golf tours, at least not that we see. But one golfer seems like she can’t catch a break when it comes to rules violations.

Lexi Thompson is one of the best young golfers on the LPGA TOUR and has consistently contended for almost every tournament that she is in. This week, she’s playing at the Honda LPGA Thailand and just completed her first round. She thought that she was tied for the lead after day one, but she later found out that she had been hit with a rules violation that she committed on the 15th hole.

Thompson’s shot on the 15th ended up being obstructed by an advertising sign that was stuck in the ground. In most cases, these yard signs are termed as “moveable obstructions” but in some events, they are “temporary immovable obstructions.” Thompson, knowing the general practice, moved the sign but was unaware that the Honda follows the “temporary immovable obstructions” rule and this resulted in a two-stroke penalty. It would have been four if she was not informed before signing her scorecard.

Lexi Thompson of United States looks on during the Honda LPGA…

Lexi Thompson of United States looks on during the Honda LPGA Thailand at Siam Country Club on February 23, 2018 in Chonburi, Thailand. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

The LPGA issued a statement following the first round, stating, “During the second round of the Honda LPGA Thailand, Lexi Thompson incurred a two-stroke penalty on hole 15 for breach of the Local Rule regarding temporary immovable obstructions as prescribed in Appendix 1. The Supplementary Rules of Play for the Honda LPGA Thailand state that advertising boards are temporary immovable obstructions.”

This isn’t Lexi’s first brush with rules violations, as we all remember the ANA Inspiration, where Thompson held the lead going into the final round but was caught for another rules violation. A caller phoned in that Thompson didn’t replace her ball correctly, and this resulted in a two-stroke penalty, and then another two-stroke penalty for signing an invalid scorecard. That brought up the whole debate on allowing call-ins for rules violations.

Despite the violation, Thompson still only sits two shots back of the lead. If she can continue her solid play and avoid more flukey penalties, she should have a good chance to pick up her first win of 2018.


Cover Image via Instagram

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