Carlota Ciganda Disqualified from Evian Championship for Failing to Include Slow Play Penalty on Scorecard

Spanish Golfer Carlota Ciganda Disqualified from Evian Championship Due to Controversial Slow Play Penalty

In a surprising turn of events, Spanish golf sensation Carlota Ciganda was disqualified from the prestigious Evian Championship after refusing to acknowledge a two-shot slow play penalty imposed by the LPGA Tour. The incident occurred during her second round at the par-five 9th hole, where rules officials found her in violation of the tour’s Pace of Play Policy.

Ciganda’s disqualification came as a result of her decision not to add the penalty strokes to her scorecard. This would have elevated her score to three-over-par for the round and six-over-par overall, causing her to miss the cut line by five shots.

The golfer attempted an appeal with rules officials before submitting her scorecard but was denied. As per tournament regulations, leaving the official recording area without acknowledging the penalty would lead to disqualification – a consequence she chose willingly.

A Clash with Rules Officials and Frustration Ensue

Ciganda expressed disappointment in an Instagram post following her disqualification. She argued that rules officials had unfairly timed one of her putts at exactly 52 seconds and stated that it was impossible for this time frame to be accurate considering external factors such as windy conditions on that particular day.

“Very poor performance from the LPGA rules official; they don’t understand what professional golf is about,” wrote Ciganda passionately. “I had family and friends watching, and they all said it was impossible I took that long to hit that putt! I wish everyone gets treated the same and they don’t pick on the same players all the time! That’s all!”

Her frustration echoes the ongoing debate surrounding slow play in professional golf. Earlier this year, American golfer Patrick Cantlay’s deliberate approach to shots sparked similar controversy among fans and players.

Pace of Play Regulations and Penalties

Under the guidance of R&A and USGA’s Rules of Golf, a prompt pace is expected during rounds. Players are allowed approximately 40 seconds to execute a stroke, with additional time granted under specific circumstances. However, exceeding this timeframe can result in penalties or warnings.

The guidelines state that players should strive to play even more swiftly than prescribed. While initially receiving only an informal warning for surpassing the allotted time, subsequent offenses incur one or two-stroke penalties respectively.

A Controversial Exit from Evian Championship

Ciganda’s disqualification signifies a controversial conclusion to her journey at the Evian Championship. With her remarkable skills as a two-time LPGA Tour winner and five-time Solheim Cup player, she undoubtedly left an indelible mark on women’s golf.