For leaving the scoring area after Friday's round without signing her scorecard. From ESPN-
Michelle Wie finished the third round of the State Farm Classic alone in second on Saturday -- then was disqualified for failing to immediately sign her scorecard a day earlier.It is reported Wie was crying after the news. I would be too. She was one shot out of the lead, with a win and LPGA Tour card within her grasp tomorrow.Wie was playing her best golf of the year, finishing off a 5-under 67 to get to 17 under for the tournament, one stroke back of Yani Tseng.
That's when Wie was disqualified by LPGA officials, who said they'd learned during play Saturday from tournament volunteers about the 18-year-old's mistake.
Here's the rule
According to a statement released Saturday by the LPGA, Wie's failure to sign her scorecard was a violation of Rule 6-6b, according to The Rules of Golf and confirmed by the USGA.Which isn't allowed, and why Wie was disqualified. She made an honest mistake but one with huge reprucussions for her golf career at this point, and maybe even mentally. Can Michelle even buy a break right now? She was playing great golf in Illinois.The rule states: "After completion of the round, the competitor should check his score for each hole and settle any doubtful points with the Committee. He must ensure that the marker or markers have signed the score card, sign the score card himself and return it to the Committee as soon as possible."
Wie said that after she finished her round on Friday, she left the tent where players sign their scorecards and was chased down by some of the tournament volunteers working in the tent who pointed out she hadn't signed.
Wie returned to the tent and signed the card.
I also want to mention Hee Won Han's 3rd round 61 which puts her three strokes behind Tseng. Hee Won, who teed off Number 10 to begin play today, was 10 under for the round through 12 holes! Han is a very consistent golfer, but seldom flashy. I saw how her round was going and despite my attention being mostly focused on the British Open, kept tabs on the State Farm. All Han had to do was play the last six holes in 3 under to shoot a record 59. It wasn't to be, Han only made one birdie coming in.
Yani Tseng continues to have an incredible year. She won the LPGA Championship last month, Two second place finishes, 6th on the money list but a win tomorrow would move her to 4th, and is running away with Rookie of the Year. There is a new force on tour.
Also commenting on Michelle Wie's disaster today- Mulligan Stu, Hound Dog, and The Constructivist. Both feel sorry for Michelle. I do too.
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Comments (9)
Seems like Witters takes pl... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Bud | July 19, 2008 7:15 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Seems like Witters takes pleasure in telling little kids that there's no Santa Claus.
1. Posted by Bud | July 19, 2008 7:15 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 19, 2008 19:15
2. Posted by dick3144 | July 19, 2008 7:39 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
this is exactly what the LPGA needs. More Koreans on the front page. the people in the tent asked her to sign her card, that should have been it. But the butches in the LPGA want one of their own, or any Korean. They are not interested in a US born citizen contending for the title. Maybe next year there will be NO LPGA on TV.
2. Posted by dick3144 | July 19, 2008 7:39 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 19, 2008 19:39
3. Posted by Snowman | July 19, 2008 10:15 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
This is an act of pure dumb-ass. Look, we wouldn't feel sorry for the pilot who "forgot" to pull up to the gate at end of a flight...we'd say he was a dummy who should not be in the captain's seat.
Michelle is a professional, and knows the Rules of Golf...she should act like one. Mistakes happen, but she shouldn't be a cry-baby, and don't anyone feel sorry for her.
We don't feel sorry for Tiger's knee..we feel sorry for ourselves because we can't watch Tiger play (and beat the cr*p out of all comers).
3. Posted by Snowman | July 19, 2008 10:15 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 19, 2008 22:15
4. Posted by Imhotep | July 19, 2008 10:54 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Snowman,
You are wrong. I do feel sorry for Tiger's knee. I actively root against him, because I want to see some other people win majors. He may be the greatest golfer ever, but I want him to return....healthy.
I had sympathy pains for him during the U.S. Open, because exactly a year ago I had a similar injury and still feel the hurt. I am only 5 years older than Tiger; his career is in serious jeopardy and I hope he is healthy.
Michelle Wei on the otherhand, has only MENTAL obsticles. If she can't overcome them, she can't be a winner in professional sports.....period.
4. Posted by Imhotep | July 19, 2008 10:54 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 19, 2008 22:54
5. Posted by Seamus | July 19, 2008 11:19 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I think that this is one of the dumbest rules in professional golf. In this "day and age," when hundreds if not thousands of eyes are "keeping score," to disqualify a golfer--woman or man--for forgetting to sign their score card is ludicrous.
In 2000, at the Benson & Hedges International Open, Padraig Harrington was dq'ed for a similar mistake--he was leading at the time. Harrington's mistake happened after his first round, but he wasn't "caught" until he had shot a third round 64. It seems that Michael Campbell had mistakenly signed Harrington's card twice after that first round.
Both Wie and Harrington should have known better, but a penalty stroke would be more in line with the offense.
Seamus
5. Posted by Seamus | July 19, 2008 11:19 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 19, 2008 23:19
6. Posted by Snowman | July 20, 2008 2:33 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Seamus:
You don't like the rules? Go play soccer.
6. Posted by Snowman | July 20, 2008 2:33 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 20, 2008 02:33
7. Posted by Oneunder | July 22, 2008 10:08 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
One has to wonder if Michelle is a victim of the Judas Syndrome
7. Posted by Oneunder | July 22, 2008 10:08 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 22, 2008 10:08
8. Posted by Jun Koshi | July 23, 2008 10:30 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
How do I get in contact with the LPGA officials & Sue Witter to expresss my dissatisfaction with the ujustified remark about not signing the scorecard. Who is Sue Witter to disqualify Michelle Wie for a minor infraction that has nothing to do with the game? She should be disciplined and The LPGA should reimburse Michelle about $150000.
8. Posted by Jun Koshi | July 23, 2008 10:30 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 23, 2008 22:30
9. Posted by TheWieWatch | July 27, 2008 1:04 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
You could try www.LPGA.com but it would do no good as the rules are established by the United States Golf Association and rule 6-6b is very specific, not a minor infraction and carries disqualification as penalty for its breach.
I am really concerned for Michelle and her ability to handle the growing pressure. She seems like a terrific girl with tremendous talent trying only to do her best
9. Posted by TheWieWatch | July 27, 2008 1:04 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 27, 2008 13:04