[Golf Rules... Knowledge Is Power] Painful Replacement Mistake

Lee Dong-eun's Situation at the 8th Hole in the Nolbu·Hwami Masters Final Round
Found Ball in the Rough but Replaced It Incorrectly
Violated Rule 14.2c, Received Two-Stroke Penalty and Fell Out of Title Contention

Golf is a sport without referees. It is known as a "gentleman's sport," where golfers are expected to follow the rules themselves. Golf rules are designed to assist play. If you know them well and use them appropriately, they can greatly help with managing your score. These are essential golf rules that weekend golfers must know.

Lee Dong-eun was brought to tears after a drop mistake. On October 12, at the 88 Country Club in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province (par 72, 6,748 yards), during the final third round of the K-Food Nolbu·Hwami Masters on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour (total prize money of 1.2 billion won), she violated the rules at the 8th hole (par 5). While attempting to replace her ball after finding it in the rough, she made the mistake of not placing it back in its original position before playing.

Lee Dong-eun is teeing off at the 2nd hole of the final 3rd round of the K-Food Nolbu·Hwami Masters. Provided by KLPGA

Her tee shot flew to the right and landed in the grass on a slope. After finding the ball, Lee Dong-eun confirmed it was hers, but during the process of placing it back, she failed to return it to its original spot. This scene was broadcast live on TV. After confirming the rule violation, the tournament committee called Lee Dong-eun at the 11th hole (par 4) and assessed a two-stroke penalty. The KLPGA announced, "It was confirmed that Lee Dong-eun did not place her ball in its original position during the process of replacing it at the 8th hole, so a two-stroke penalty was imposed."

This was a violation of Rule 14.2c of the golf rules. When replacing a ball, the player must place it back on its original spot. Lee Dong-eun violated this rule and received a two-stroke penalty. She started the final round in second place, one stroke behind Hong Jung-min as of the previous day, but ultimately fell out of contention for the win due to the rules violation. Her final ranking was ninth place (seven-under-par 209 strokes).

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