The most notable incident occurred during the 2017 ANA Inspiration, a major tournament where Thompson was leading. She was penalized four strokes after a viewer emailed officials to report that she had incorrectly replaced her ball on the green during the third round. This incident sparked widespread debate about the fairness of penalizing players based on viewer input and the clarity of golf’s rules.
The penalty, imposed during the final round, drastically altered the outcome of the tournament. Thompson, who was in contention to win, ended up losing in a playoff to So Yeon Ryu. The incident drew significant media attention and prompted discussions about the role of television viewers in officiating and the need for clearer, more player-friendly rules in golf. Many fans and fellow players felt that Thompson was unfairly treated, as the infraction appeared minor and unintentional.
In the aftermath, the USGA and R&A, golf’s governing bodies, made changes to the rules to prevent similar situations from occurring. They introduced a new rule that limits the use of video evidence in determining penalties and ensures that players are not unfairly penalized for unintentional infractions that cannot be easily observed without high-definition replays.
Despite this controversy, Thompson has continued to be a formidable presence on the LPGA Tour. However, the incident has remained a significant moment in her career, highlighting the intense scrutiny that professional golfers face and the challenges of adhering to the sport’s complex rules. Thompson’s ability to persevere and continue competing at a high level despite such setbacks has earned her respect within the golfing community.
The 2017 ANA Inspiration controversy is often referenced when discussions about golf’s rules and officiating arise, particularly in relation to the role of technology and the impact of external factors on the game. Thompson’s experience underscores the need for balance between maintaining the integrity of the sport and ensuring that players are treated fairly.