Woad penalised at US Women's Open over bunker stance
World No. 6 Lottie Woad incurred a triple-bogey on the ninth hole after officials determined she improved her stance while retrieving her ball from the sand.
English golfer Lottie Woad has been assessed a two-stroke penalty during the third round of the 81st U.S. Women's Open at Riviera Country Club. The ruling, applied under Rule 8.1a, was issued after officials determined that Woad improved her stance in a green-side bunker on the ninth hole.
The incident occurred on Saturday when Woad’s second shot on the par-4 ninth landed in the face of the bunker after she found the fairway off the tee. While attempting to retrieve her ball from the sand, Woad lost her balance, leaving the ball in the bunker. Officials subsequently deemed that her stance had been improved during this process.
Despite the disruption, Woad managed to get up and down from the bunker to complete the hole. She recorded a triple-bogey 7 on the ninth and was informed of the two-stroke penalty two holes later. The penalty was applied in accordance with the rules regarding improving the conditions affecting the stroke.
Woad, currently ranked No. 6 in the world and a two-time LPGA winner, had made the cut on the number for the tournament. She was part of the USGA’s featured groups coverage during the Saturday morning session at Riviera.
The ruling adds a layer of administrative complexity to the third round, highlighting the strict enforcement of stance regulations in major championship play. Woad’s performance on the hole was impacted by the penalty, which was applied after she had already completed the play on the ninth.
