Rounds taking nearly six hours have been the rule, not the exception this week at the U.S. Women’s Open, and after two-and-a-half days of competition, the USGA penalized just one of the culprits.
Stanford junior Andrea Lee was hit with a one-stroke penalty on Saturday at the Country Club of Charleston after having a bad time and receiving a warning.
“She had a bad time and she was given a warning. She should’ve figured it out,” David Fay, the former USGA executive director, said.
Pace of play was slow across the board Saturday at the U.S. Women’s Open, with rounds approaching six hours.
But it was amateur Andrea Lee who was the lone player assessed a one-shot penalty, and social media wasn’t happy with the USGA’s decision. https://t.co/H1hesmVLB9 pic.twitter.com/TNbiO9Hhid
— Golf Central (@GolfCentral) June 1, 2019
Lee was outside the top-50 and struggling when she received word that she would have to add another stroke to her score. The fourth-ranked amateur in the world, Lee is competing in her third U.S. Women’s Open.
Amateur Andrea Lee getting emotional after being assessed a penalty for slow play. The last group took 3 hours to play the front nine! Feels like the whole day is in slow motion.
— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) June 1, 2019
She would eventually sign for a 7-over par 79 and she sits in a tie for 66th heading into the final round.
China’s Yu Liu and France’s Celine Boutier, former Duke University teammates, lead Lexi Thompson, Jaye Marie Green and 36-hole leader Mamiko Higa of Japan by a stroke heading into the final round.
