Natthakritta Vongtaveelap was disqualified during Round 1 at the U.S. Women’s Open when her caddie used a rangefinder during competition.
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PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — The week is ending a bit early for one U.S. Women’s Open competitor.
Natthakritta Vongtaveelap, an LPGA rookie, was disqualified mid-way through Round 1 at Pebble Beach after her caddie used a rangefinder on multiple occasions.
“During the first round, on multiple occasions the caddie for Natthakritta Vongtaveelap used a distance measuring device, which is not allowed in the U.S. Women’s Open,” the USGA said in a statement. “The first breach is a general penalty, and the second breach resulted in disqualification.”
Vongtaveelap, who teed off on No. 10, was informed of the infraction after completing the 14th hole. She was even par for the day after making one birdie and one bogey over her first five holes.
Rangefinders are legal most weeks on the LPGA Tour, however, they are barred during during the U.S. Women’s Open and AIG Women’s Open.
First-year pro Zach Williams was disqualified during the Korn Ferry Tour’s Memorial Health Championship last week under similar circumstances. Rangefinders are not allowed on the PGA Tour or Korn Ferry Tour.
“I should have known, and its [sic] completely on me,” Williams tweeted. “Hard to swallow but you have to. I’ll be back in no time.”
Vongtaveelap, a 20-year-old from Thailand, was competing in her first U.S. Women’s Open. She has won five times on the Thai LPGA Tour, but is still searching for her first victory in the United States. She finished second in the Honda LPGA Thailand and tallied another top 10 the next week, but has not registered another top-25 finish since.
