The Controversy Over Yuna Yoon's 'Ogu Play'... Looking Back at Past Cases

Jeong Ilmi and An Siyun Disqualified Together at Canada Open
Park Sanghyun and Kim Daehyun Receive Two Penalties for Mistakes at Korea Open
Johnson and Kim Seyoung Also Hampered by Ogu Play

[Asia Economy Reporter Nowrae] ‘Ogu (wrong ball) play’.

This is a mistake that even players active on the tour can make. Recently, ‘Long Drive Queen’ Yoonina (19) caused an issue by belatedly reporting that she made an Ogu play during the first round of the Korean Women’s Open. Ogu play is fatal for players aiming for victory. According to Rule 15-3b of golf, if the mistake is corrected during the round, a two-stroke penalty is imposed. However, if it is not corrected before leaving the green, disqualification follows.

Ogu plays have occurred frequently in major tournaments. However, most cases ended with players voluntarily reporting and receiving penalties on the hole or being disqualified from the competition.

Jeong Ilmi (50) and Ahn Siyun (38) were disqualified for Ogu play involving ball substitution during the first round of the 2010 LPGA Tour Canadian Open. The ball was changed on the second shot of the 18th hole. After finishing the round and submitting the scorecard, they realized the Ogu play and reported it to the officials, resulting in disqualification. Although the caddie claimed they tried to conceal the Ogu play intentionally, the LPGA Tour dismissed the allegations of intentionality.

Park Sanghyun (39) and Kim Daehyun (34) also caused an Ogu play incident at the 2012 Korean Open. The problem occurred on the second shot of the first hole in the second round. Park Sanghyun, who usually has a short driving distance, continued play with a ball that had not gone far without much thought. Kim Daehyun also hit a shot with a ball that had gone far without suspicion. The two players realized the balls had been switched after reaching the green, returned to the second shot spot with their own balls, and took a fourth shot.

Hunter Mahan (USA) was frustrated by a ridiculous mistake at the 2014 PGA Tour major US Open. The incident happened on the 18th hole of the second round. Mahan and Jamie Donaldson (Wales) both used Titleist ‘Pro V1’ balls and had drawn slanted lines over the numbers. After the second shot, they picked up the balls on the green and realized they had played with the opponent’s ball. Mahan received a two-stroke penalty and recorded a double bogey, missing the cut by one stroke.

Defending champion Dustin Johnson received a two-stroke penalty for a double hit on the 4th hole of the 2nd round at the 2019 Sentry Tournament of Champions, the "King of Kings" event.

Defending champion Dustin Johnson (USA) shed tears over an Ogu play at the 2019 Sentry Tournament of Champions, the ‘King of Kings’ event. On the 4th hole of the second round, his tee shot pulled left and landed in the rough. Fortunately, he seemed to find the ball at the 270-yard mark and took a shot from the spot pointed out by the marshal. However, it was not his ball. He regretted, saying, “The marshal marked it, and it had a TaylorMade logo, so I thought it was my ball.”

Kim Seyoung (29) collapsed with a quadruple bogey at the 2020 major ANA Inspiration. On the 13th hole, her tee shot pushed and headed out of bounds (OB). She hit another ball and continued. The first ball, which she thought was out of bounds at the second shot spot, was still in play, so she played with the original ball. However, the problem was that she did not declare a provisional ball. If a player does not declare a provisional ball, the ball played later is considered the ball in play. She received an additional two-stroke penalty for Ogu play.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.