Lexi Thompson lost LPGA major after TV viewer's email led to 4-stroke penalty

Published Apr. 3, 2017 7:09 a.m. ET

Kerouac Smith

Lexi Thompson lost the ANA Inspiration, the first major of the LPGA season, after a TV viewer's email led to a four-stroke penalty for the young star.

LPGA officials docked Thompson, who was leading by 3 with six holes to play at the time, after reviewing play on the 17th hole from Saturday's round and ruling she had slightly misplaced a marked ball.

https://twitter.com/golf_com/status/848690265246371840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fftw.usatoday.com%2F2017%2F04%2Ftiger-woods-golfers-rip-lpga-lexi-thompson-ana-inspiration-4-stroke-penalty-fan-video-call

She was docked two strokes for the infraction and two more for signing an incorrect scorecard.

Amazingly, she gathered herself enough to hit three clutch birdies and force a playoff with So Yeon Ryu, but failed to capitalize on the extra hole.

Thompson was miffed when LPGA official Sue Witters informed her of the penalty, first asking "Is this a joke?" and then telling Witters "This is ridiculous" after learning it was not a joke.

Some golfers, Tiger Woods among them, suggested the only joke was letting viewers police the sport from their couches.

https://twitter.com/TigerWoods/status/848688307244593152

https://twitter.com/JustinThomas34/status/848690652649009152

https://twitter.com/HPClyburn/status/848701945367994368

https://twitter.com/joelklatt/status/848713999847792640

https://twitter.com/JeffRudeGolf/status/848712269441769472

https://twitter.com/richeisen/status/848707908728532992

And the LPGA's response:

https://twitter.com/LPGA/status/848698071408037889