LPGA rookie disqualified five holes into US Women’s Open
Natthakritta Vongtaveelap was disqualified from the US Women’s Open at Pebble Beach after just one round.
Her caddie, Jinsup Kim, used a distance-measuring device multiple times in the first five holes at the famous venue hosting the US Women’s Open for the first time.
“During the first round, on multiple occasions, the caddie for Natthakritta Vongtaveelap used a distance measuring device, which is not allowed in the U.S. Women’s Open,” the USGA said in a statement.
“The first breach is a general penalty, and the second breach resulted in disqualification.”
The US Women’s Open and the AIG Women’s Open Championship are the only events on tour that don’t allow lasers. They were permitted at the KPMG Women’s PGA at Baltusrol.
The 20-year-old from Thailand finished tied for 28th at the LPGA Q-Series in 2022 which earned her a first card on the LPGA circuit.
She almost secured her first title on the circuit in February when she came second at the Honda LPGA Thailand – one shot behind Lilia Vu who subsequently won the Chevron Championship.
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Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
