Lexi Thompson, through tears, addresses ANA snafu: 'It was kind of a nightmare'
Lexi Thompson, speaking for the first time since losing the ANA Inspiration in a playoff to So Yeon Ryu earlier this month, likened her four-shot penalty experience to a nightmare.
"I played amazing that week," Thompson said, through tears. "It was kind of a nightmare."
Thompson is in the field for this week's Volunteers of America Texas Shootout, her first tournament since the ANA Inspiration. Thompson was assessed a pair of two-stroke penalties for hitting her ball from the wrong spot on the 17th hole and then signing an incorrect scorecard after the third round of the LPGA's first major. Her violations, however, didn't surface until the following day, when a TV viewer called the LPGA to report the potential penalties. She was told of the four-stroke penalty walking off the 12th green Sunday, and went from leading the tournament to trailing by two before her eventual playoff loss.
Following much discussion over social media, the USGA and R&A announced Tuesday an immediate change to the rules of golf in an attempt to protect players from being penalized for infractions that "could not reasonably have been seen with the naked eye." Decision 34-3/10 does not eliminate viewer call-ins.
Thompson said in her press conference that while she could see where the rules officials were coming from, she stands by the fact that she has always played golf by the rules.
"The hardest part, just going through it," Thompson said, breaking down, "I work really hard to have my name on major trophies, especially that week with all the history behind it."
Thompson said she never intended to mark her ball on the 17th hole during the third round, instead planning to tap in the short putt. But she said she talked herself into marking because she had missed many tap-ins previously. There was nothing in her line.
"I have no reason behind it," Thompson said of her decision. "I did not mean it at all."
The 22-year-old top-ranked American said she was overwhelmed by the support she received following the loss. She didn't let it keep her from the game, playing a round with her brother just two days after the ordeal.
Golf Channel insider Tim Rosaforte said Wednesday that the USGA, per a source, has not ruled out changing the call-in rule. Many pros, reacting to the USGA and R&A change, thought the amendment could have gone one step further to eliminate viewer call-ins. Thompson is in that camp.
"Do I think it's right?" Thompson said. "Not really, but it's not my say. I'm going to just continue marking my ball."
