The rules of golf can be complicated and confusing. There are many nuances and intricacies. With HD cameras, viewers are now calling or emailing the PGA to report a rules infraction in the middle of a round being broadcast. However, some rules of golf are obvious to everyone involved, from golfers to caddies to rules officials. Unfortunately, Michelle Wie had a glaring oversight while on the course, and it ended up costing her first LPGA win.
Who Is Michelle Wie?
Wie has been a popular American female golfer for years. She began golfing at the age of four, and gained notoriety when she became the youngest player to qualify for a USGA amateur championship at the age of 10.
At fourteen, Wie became the youngest player to ever make the cut at an LPGA event, while at the 2003 Kraft Nabisco Championship. Wie turned professional a week before her 16th birthday but couldn’t play on tour due to age requirements. She did not request an exemption from the LPGA, who’s minimum age requirement is 18. Instead, she participated in a select number of tour events when granted a sponsor’s exemption.
Disqualification Before Her First Victory
At the age of 18, Wie was beginning to dominate, and it looked as though she was finally living up to the hype. However, at the State Farm Classic, she suffered a devastating miscue when she forgot to sign her scorecard from the second round before leaving the scoring area. Wie had shot a 67 on Thursday and a 65 on Friday, and appeared to be in complete control of the course.
After completing her round Friday, she left the tent where she was supposed to sign her scorecard, without having signed it. She was chased down by tournament volunteers, who alerted her to her miscue. Wie returned and signed the scorecard, without thinking twice about the incident. However, according the Sue Witters, the LPGA’s director of tournament competitions, Wie had already walked outside the roped-off area that surrounded the tent, meaning the mistake was final and therefore not correctable. According to Golf.com, Wie stated, “I don’t know why or how it happened.”
It was unclear if Wie’s caddie was with her in the tent. Typically, caddies look for oversights, and bring correctable mistakes to their golfer’s attention.
Looking to Improve Your Golf Game?
If you’re looking to improve overall knowledge of the game, don’t hesitate to visit us at Westlake Golf!