The USGA had another video ruling nightmare at the U.S. Women’s Open

Rules officials inform Lang of the situation

It’s been less than a month since Dustin Johnson’s U.S. Open win was marred by a poorly handled rules issue. Unfortunately, a bizarrely similar situation occurred at the U.S. Women’s Open which finished yesterday, and the USGA again did not cover itself in glory.

In the aftermath of the DJ debacle, which drew intense criticism from numerous big-name players, the USGA issued a statement expressing their “regret” about how that situation was handled.

In that statement, the USGA said, “In keeping with our commitment to excellence in all aspects of our work on behalf of the game of golf, we pledge to closely examine our procedures in this matter. We will assess our procedures for handling video review, the timing of such, and our communication with players to make sure that when confronted with such a situation again, we will have a better process.”

After finishing 72 holes tied level at six-under-par, America’s Brittany Lang and Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist entered a three-hole aggregate playoff. They both made par at the first two playoff holes and went up the last knowing that a one-shot difference would secure the title. 

On the par-5 18th, Nordqvist hit her third shot towards the green, and was then approached by a USGA official to inform her that after reviewing video evidence taking on the previous hole, she had been given a two-shot penalty for grounding her club in a bunker.

No one can argue with the ruling itself – Nordqvist definitely touched the sand, and that means a two-shot penalty.

“It wasn’t on purpose,” said Nordqvist. “It’s just one of those things. I have to deal with the consequences.”

The problem was the timing of the decision. The USGA informed Nordqvist of the penalty after she had hit her third shot on the final playoff hole, but before Lang had hit hers, handing the American a tactical advantage. 

“I wish the USGA would have told me a bit earlier,” said Nordqvist, whose only major victory came at the 2009 LPGA Championship.

“They approached me after I already hit my third shot into 18, then kind of ran up to Brittany to tell her that I got penalised.

“I don’t know if it would have changed the outcome, but it certainly would have changed my aggressiveness into the 18th pin.”

Eventual winner Lang concedes that the timing of the ruling played into her hands. 

“I’m thankful they told me before my wedge shot so I could take a little bit more club,” said the 30-year-old.

“They should tell you as soon as they know. I really don’t think today was that big of a deal. Anna happened to hit her third shot. They have to go look and check these things. It’s not that easy.

“I just said sorry to Anna [at the end]. I know she is probably super mad.”

Nordqvist took it all on the chin, saying, “It’s hard to lose that way, but it’s the game of golf. 

“It’s blowing 35-40 mph out there and I had a 5-iron downhill lie in the bunker on No. 17. It was obviously not my intention to touch the sand, but it happened and life will go on. Congratulations to Brittany Lang for a great week of golf!”