By Rob Ockenfuss
Kohler, Wis. – Over the first three rounds of the U.S. Women’s Open Championship, 409 Rules incidents were reported by the referees walking with each group. Not surprisingly, over half of these incidents involved either a water hazard or lateral water hazard (Rule 26).
The par-4 fifth has presented the most number of rulings of any hole on the course, with 56. Playing as the ninth-toughest hole, the lateral water hazard surrounding the putting green has seen plenty of action. Interestingly, the fairway on this hole is the most frequently hit during the championship (95.4 percent), but the green has been hit in regulation only 40 percent of the time. It doesn’t get any easier for the players after this hole, as the par-3 sixth is the toughest hole of the championship and presents a difficult two-hole stretch in the middle of the outward nine.
One player who has managed to avoid difficulty is 54-hole leader Na Yeon Choi. Thus far, Choi has managed to stay out of trouble and has not incurred a penalty of any kind through the first three days, going a long way to build the six-shot lead she holds heading into the final round.
Rob Ockenfuss is a Manager, Rules Inquiries. Email him at rockenfuss@usga.org.