LPGA rookie disqualified five holes into US Women’s Open
By Matt Chivers
Natthakritta Vongtaveelap managed only five holes before she was disqualified at Pebble Beach after her caddie broke a golden rule at Pebble Beach more than once
Natthakritta Vongtaveelap was disqualified from the US Women’s Open at Pebble Beach after just five holes.
Her caddie, Jinsup Kim, used a distance-measuring device on multiple occasions at the famous venue, which is 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 US 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 Tour.
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.
China’s Xiyu Lin and South Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim both carded 68s to lead the way after 18 holes in California.
NOW READ: Talor Gooch’s Ryder Cup dream: ‘There’d be nothing better than beating Poults on Sunday’
Follow NCG on Twitter!
Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
