Lydia Ko, Angel Yin find themselves involved in rules incidents at CME Group Tour Championship

Angel Yin and Lydia Ko Navigate Rule Challenges and Stellar Performances at the LPGA CME Group Tour Championship

The LPGA CME Group Tour Championship, held at the Tiburon Golf Club’s Gold Course, brought not only high-level competition but also unpredictable wind conditions that affected several players. Two of the tournament’s stars, Angel Yin and Lydia Ko, found themselves involved in rule-related incidents during play on Friday, November 21. Despite these challenges, both golfers demonstrated skill and resilience, with Yin ultimately claiming the championship and Ko delivering a strong showing.

Lydia Ko’s Unusual Encounter with the Wind

Lydia Ko, fresh off her gold-medal win at the 2024 Olympics, faced a peculiar situation caused by the strong winds on the course. While she was preparing for her next shot, a sudden gust blew over her golf bag, causing it to fall onto her ball. This incident led to immediate consultation with a tournament official.

Under the rules of golf, specifically Rule 9.6, if a ball is moved by an external influence, no penalty is assessed, and the ball is replaced. Ko complied with the rule, replacing her ball with a new one and continuing her round without issue. The 27-year-old LPGA star showcased her professionalism in handling the unusual situation, ensuring there was no disruption to her game or the tournament’s integrity.

Angel Yin’s Water Hazard Controversy

Angel Yin’s rule-related incident occurred at the par-4 fourth hole during her second round. After her second shot landed in the water, Yin took a drop in accordance with the rules. However, tournament officials later questioned her process for determining where her ball had crossed the hazard and whether she had followed the correct procedure for taking the drop.

Speaking about the incident, Yin explained the steps she took to resolve the situation:

> “They wanted to ask me about the process of the drop and if I used all my resources to be able to come to a determination of where I crossed and how I took my drop. Then we talked it through. We even brought Narin and Justin in, everybody from the group. I think there was some misunderstanding — oh, actually it wasn’t a misunderstanding because it was just footage and someone had interpretations of it… I think everybody is trying to hold up integrity and the rules of golf because it would be bad if we cheat, so we don’t want that.”

The matter was resolved after a thorough review, and Yin continued her tournament without penalty. Her candid response underscored the importance of integrity and transparency in professional golf.

Tournament Performances: A Show of Skill

Despite these off-course distractions, both Yin and Ko delivered remarkable performances over the four-day event.

Lydia Ko started strong with a first-round score of 67, carding four birdies on the front nine and two on the back nine. Her second round was less consistent, with a score of 74 and only one birdie. However, she bounced back in the third round, again shooting 67 with six birdies spread evenly across the front and back nines. Ko saved her best for last, finishing the tournament with a final-round performance that included nine birdies. Her consistent play earned her a $550,000 prize.

Angel Yin, meanwhile, was in exceptional form throughout the championship. She opened with an impressive first round of 65, highlighted by seven birdies and an eagle. Her second round of 69 included six birdies, followed by a third-round 67 with five birdies and another eagle. In her final round, Yin shot a 66, making six birdies, two on the front nine and four on the back nine. This stellar performance secured her the tournament victory and a $1,000,000 prize.

A Memorable Championship

The 2024 LPGA CME Group Tour Championship was a test of skill, strategy, and composure under challenging conditions. Lydia Ko and Angel Yin, despite their respective rule challenges, exemplified professionalism and determination. Yin’s triumph and Ko’s impressive run were a testament to their talent and commitment to the sport, making the championship a memorable conclusion to the LPGA season.