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Park Hyun-kyung was disqualified on the opening day of the Korea Women's Open for using a rangefinder.
Park was disqualified during play on the fourth hole of the first round of the Mercedes-Benz 40th Korea Women's Open Golf Championship (total prize money 1.5 billion won), held on the 11th at Lakewood Country Club (par 71) in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province.
The Korea Golf Association (KGA), which organizes the tournament, said, "We received a tip from an association official, confirmed it with the player, and notified her of the disqualification." The association explained, "The Korea Women's Open applies Local Rule Model G-5, the same as overseas major tournaments. During a round, players must not use an electronic rangefinder to obtain distance information." It added, "Park Hyun-kyung was confirmed to have used a rangefinder from holes 1 through 3, and the player acknowledged this, so she was disqualified." Park had been cruising at 1-under par after making a birdie on the first hole.
While rangefinders are permitted during play on the Korea Ladies Professional Golf (KLPGA) Tour, KGA tournaments prohibit them. Although the Korea Women's Open is one of the KLPGA Tour's major tournaments, the event is organized by the KGA.
The U.S. Ladies Professional Golf (LPGA) Tour also allows rangefinder use, but they cannot be used at the U.S. Women's Open organized by the United States Golf Association (USGA).
Wang Zixuan (China) was also assessed a two-stroke penalty after being confirmed to have used a rangefinder once on the first hole that day. A first violation carries a two-stroke penalty, and a second results in disqualification.
