The US women's team was disqualified from the Spirit International after play on Thursday in Texas after the team realized they had turned in an incorrect scorecard.
The US women recorded a 2 for Emilia Migliaccio on the par-3 third hole at Whispering Pines Golf Club, but Kaitlyn Papp was the American female player who made the 2 on that hole in the four-ball stroke-play format. No other team score was recorded for the women's team on the hole.
Under the Rules of Golf, the score for a hole, even in four-ball stroke play, must be identified to the correct partner. As a result of reporting the violation, the women's duo was disqualified from the competition under Rule 23.2b. The women have agreed to finish the competition without their score counting.
American captain Stacy Lewis realized the error and reported it.
“Playing within the Rules is at the core of The Spirit and its competitors,” Lewis said. “While Team USA is certainly disappointed, they understand the implications. The fact that Emilia and Kaitlyn want to continue to play without being in contention for the championship shows their true spirit, integrity and love of this great game.”
The US women's team was disqualified from their team competition at the Spirit, which creates four-person teams of two amateur men and two amateur women to compete for three team championship -- women's team championship, men's team championship and combined international championship -- and men's and women's individual championships. The US men's team of Cole Hammer and Andy Ogletree is still able to compete in the events only involving male amateurs.
A field of 76 players representing six continents compete in a 54-hole four-ball stroke play competition. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to the top three golfers in each competition.
The second round is played Friday, with the final round on Saturday. Live streaming of the competition can be viewed at Golfweek.
