THE bunkers at Royal Lytham, notorious throughout the world of golf, have taken many hostages in the Weetabix Women’s British Open this week but none so high profile as Michelle Wie. The American prodigy, who is 16, fell foul of one on the 14th green in her second round and was consequently penalised two strokes.
Although at the time of her error Wie was eight strokes behind Juli Inkster, the leader after 36 holes, there was no danger of her missing the two-round cut. At the conclusion of her round her score of 72 was altered to one of 74, which took her to four over par, which was good enough to reach the last two rounds of the final women’s major championship of the year.
This is the second time Wie has had a brush with the rules. In Palm Springs last autumn she was disqualified from her first event as a professional for positioning her ball incorrectly after she had decided to remove it from a bush and drop away in a playable position under penalty. An eagle-eyed journalist saw Wie do this in the third round of the event and eventually informed officials during the fourth round.
This time television viewers reported to tournament officials that when Wie played her shot from a greenside bunker on the 14th, she dislodged some sand on her backswing. This could be seen clearly on television.
Officials had already noted the alleged infringement, which carries a two-stroke penalty in stroke play competitions, and the moment Wie came off the 18th green to hand in her card she was informed by a Nike official about what had happened.
“I saw it, too,” she said, pulling her cap down over her head. “It’s not good after you have played to have two strokes added to your score,” Wie said.
“I am going to hover my club three feet over the ball from now on,” she added.
