World No.6 Lottie Woad ran into a lot of trouble at Riviera on Saturday. She found a bunker and did her best to come out of it. In an attempt to do so, she caused further harm to her score.

Woad recorded a score of 74 in the third round and moved to seven over par for the tournament. On Saturday, the 9th hole changed everything for her.

“So [the official] just mentioned I was a little concerned that it looked like she was kind of building a stance,” said an analyst on the Peacock broadcast.

“You saw her take her foot with the sand and try and make extra sand so she could stand on it. You’re not allowed to do that.” the analyst added.

The two-time LPGA winner was assessed a two-stroke penalty under Rule 8.1a of the regulations following a rule breach in a bunker at the 9th hole. 

Woad took two attempts to get out of the bunker. On the first swing, she lost her footing and the ball was stuck in the steep upslope, right around the lip of the bunker.

The 22-year old was visibly struggling with her footing in an attempt to take her third shot. As the cameras panned on her, Woad was seen pushing into the sand with her back foot. 

Finally, Woad took the shot and went inside 2 feet of the pin. Putting it, her score on the hole was bogey five.

However, two holes later, Woad’s score turned into a seven. 

“This is what I’m concerned about,” the analyst further added. “Caddie kind of came in and helped as well. Digging in the feet and really moving the sand around.” 

Woad was penalized for building up a stance. Her caddie, David Taylor was also in the wrong. Woad had just made the cut at four over par after her second round. She ended up with a score of three-over 74 in the third round.

On the other hand, three-time LPGA Tour winner Charley Hull was on another level on Saturday.

Charley Hull Reflects On Her Third Round Performance

Hull moved into the top 10 after her fantastic third round performance. On Saturday, the Englishwoman fired a 6-under 65, hitting seven birdies.

“I felt like it was quite scoreable out there. Got quite firm, I think, as well. Just felt like I went at everything,” said Hull in assessment of her third round, later continuing, “I played really decent actually the first two days tee-to-green. Just couldn't get a putt. So just stuck in there and went at everything today. Just thought (redacted) it.”

Hull started the third round being in a tie for 45th at 3-over par. With the help of her lowest round in a major, the 30-year-old moved to 3-under for the tournament.

Hull will look to continue the good momentum in the final round and win the first major title of her career. What are your thoughts on Woad’s penalty? Share them in the comments.

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Written by

Avishek Sarkar

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi