‘Ryder Cup Captain’ Donald: “I Also Made This Mistake”… ‘Ogu Play Penalty’

Donald Italyan Open 2R Ogu Play
16th Hole 2-Penalty Score Bogey → Triple Bogey

Luke Donald received a two-stroke penalty for a double hit on the 16th hole during the second round of the Italian Open. Photo by Golf.com

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Luke Donald (England, pictured), the world No. 1, made a wrong ball play mistake.

It happened during the 2nd round of the DP World Tour (formerly European Tour) DS Automobiles Italian Open (total prize money 3 million euros), which concluded last week at Marco Simone Golf Club (par 71) in Rome, Italy. On the 16th hole (par 4), his tee shot landed in the left rough, and thinking it was his ball, he played it but realized he had struck the wrong ball. Fortunately, he self-reported the mistake and received only a 2-stroke penalty, continuing the 2nd round. His score on the 16th hole went from a bogey to a triple bogey.

According to golf rule 12-2, if a wrong ball is played and the player immediately acknowledges it, a 2-stroke penalty is given. However, if the player continues to the next hole without reporting, disqualification follows. After the wrong ball play, Donald showed resilience by making 5 birdies over the next 8 holes. His final standing in the tournament was tied for 34th place (1 under par, 283 strokes). Donald, who said, "It was my first time experiencing a wrong ball play," explained, "I was disappointed to hit the wrong ball" and added, "It was an expensive lesson."

Donald held the No. 1 position from May 2011 to August 2012 and was the simultaneous leading money winner in both the U.S. and Europe in 2011. He has won 5 times on the PGA Tour and 7 times on the DP World Tour. However, he has not won since his DP World Tour BMW PGA Championship victory in May 2012.

Donald will lead the European team at the Ryder Cup, the team competition against the U.S., held next September at Marco Simone Golf Club, where he made the mistake. Henrik Stenson (Sweden) was the European team captain but lost eligibility after moving to LIV Golf. Donald has been appointed as the new captain and is preparing for the Ryder Cup.

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