Awkward bunker lie frustrates Women’s Open pro. And then she’s penalized

Lottie Woad’s third round at the U.S. Women’s Open on Saturday at Riviera Country Club took a turn when she was assessed a two-stroke penalty. The incident occurred on the 9th hole, where Woad’s second shot had plugged into the steep upslope of a greenside bunker, about a yard from the lip. Her primary issue was establishing a stable stance.

Standing normally, Woad would slide, and she tried to find stability. Peacock network cameras showed her trying to push into the sand with her back (right) foot, and at one point, her caddie, David Taylor, put his left foot behind her right foot to help her maintain balance. Woad continued to push. At one point, she slid down the bunker. An official was called. Woad and Taylor wondered whether the presence of bunker liner could lead to relief, but, following a seven-minute conference, they were denied.

After she tried to position her right foot again, Woad hit. Her ball unplugged — but it jumped forward only about an inch before sliding back down the bunker. From there, she hit her second shot to 2 feet, and she one-putted for what she believed was a bogey five. It turned out to be more.

There was a review, and a short while later, Woad’s score for the hole became a seven. The issue was Woad’s stance. At 12:20 p.m. local time in L.A., reporters were told that Woad had been assessed a two-stroke penalty, under Rule 8.1a of the Rules of Golf, “for improving her stance in the bunker.”

Peacock network mics did pick up the official who talked with Woad telling her to be “careful about building a stance,” but no penalty was called at that moment. When contacted by GOLF.com, a USGA spokesperson said that an official monitors all broadcast feeds and “as this situation aired, prior to the referee coming to help, we actively started reviewing it.”

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

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

“She’s got to be very careful that she’s not also creating some type of stance,” the analyst added. “Just looking at the ball, she was fluffing up the sand. The caddie, David Taylor, came in and was doing the same.”

From there, Woad played one-under golf for the remainder of her round, finishing with a three-over 74. The incident highlights the strict application of golf’s rules, even in challenging circumstances, and how seemingly minor actions can lead to significant penalties in professional golf.