“On Sunday afternoon, the LPGA received an email from a television viewer, saying that Lexi Thompson did not properly replace her ball prior to putting out on the 17th hole during Saturday’s third round of the ANA Inspiration. The claim was quickly investigated by LPGA Rules officials.


 


After a full review, it was determined that Thompson breached Rule 20-7c (Playing From Wrong Place), and received a two-stroke penalty under Rule 16-1b. She incurred an additional two-stroke penalty under Rule 6-6d for returning an incorrect scorecard in round three. She was immediately notified of the breach by LPGA Rules Committee in between holes 12 and 13 of the final round.”


 


Leaving aside the question of whether there should be a time limit in “reporting in” by TV viewers or others – surely by the time a player tees off, anything to do with their previous round(s) should no longer be up for discussion – the result undoubtedly cost Thompson a Major Title.  She showed outstanding courage to go on and birdie the 13th hole, and later to get into the playoff with eventual winner So Yeon Ryu of Korea, who achieved her score of -14 in a more straightforward manner.


 


There was a lineup for 3rd a shot back, with Minjee Lee, In Bee Park and Suzann Pettersen all having their chances over the final few holes.


 


It almost seems trivial to note that defending champion Lydia Ko finished T11 on -7.  Apart from early on in the suspended 1st Round, she never threatened the lead at any stage, although her finishing burst of 3 birdies in the last 5 holes would have been welcomed by any of the contenders above.  As compensation, she retains her World 1# ranking for at least another week.


 


Henley’s Houston Heroics


Russell Henley booked himself a trip to this week’s Masters  with a sizzling final round of 65, and a four round tally of -20, 3 shots clear of Sung Kang of Korea, who had led by 6 at the halfway mark.  Luke List and Rickie Fowler shared 3rd on -16.


 


For Danny Lee, it was a case of what might have been.  On paper, he has chalked up another Top 20 finish, and improved his FedEx Cup ranking to 116#, but he was in position to do much better.  He was heading towards the lead in Round 2, only to post three bogeys in a row on 15, 16 & 17.  In fact the back nine bothered Danny all week, not least in the final round when he visited the water twice on 11 on his way to a triple bogey 7.  Under the circumstances, he did well to come back with two late birdies for an even par round, but a weekend of 72 and 72 does not win golf tournaments.


 


Paddison prevails at Akarana


 


Gareth Paddison must have wondered where all the birdies had gone, as he reeled off 13 straight pars in his final round in the Barfoot & Thompson Akarana Open.  By that time, he had been overtaken by Michael Hendry, Mark Brown, and amateur Henry Spring.


 


However, Gareth rallied with a birdie on 14, and then nearly holed his 2nd shot to the 18th to force a playoff with Michael Hendry, both players finishing on -18.  It took four trips up and down the 18th before Paddison reprised his effort in regulation play for a tap-in birdie, and his 2nd victory in the event.


Mark Brown tied for 3rd on -16, alongside amateurs Daniel Hillier (Manor Park) and Henry Spring (Whakatane).


Another great tournament for the Akarana Golf Club, and for the Jennian Homes Charles Tour series.


 


Jimenez defends at Fallen Oak


 


Yet another playoff resulted at the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic, at the Fallen Oak Golf Club in Mississippi.  Miguel Angel Jimenez prevailed over Gene Sauers – both had finished on -13 in regulation – on the first playoff hole.


 


Expect plenty more from Jimenez this year – he seems to have found a lucrative niche to play in, having won the same tournament 12 months earlier, and plenty of money over the intervening period as well.  The galleries of course love him.


 


New Zealander Grant Waite is back on the Champions Tour, but finished well back in this event at T69 on +6.