A Twitter friend of mine @hankupright, asked my thoughts on this subject. I'll do my best to merely offer my opinion and in no way wish to offend anyone. The facts used for my research were from the LPGA and @waggleroom 's interview with Tim Hegna (caddie for Ahn last week).
Two LPGA players got into a predicament at last week's CN Canadian Women's Open, when they played the wrong balls on the 18th hole during the first round. This wasn't just 1 shot, it was the last 3! Now, most people had no idea of this until hearing of the DQ. Hyun Ahn's caddie Tim Hegna noticed this after she tapped her ball in the hole and handed both the putter and ball back to him. At that moment he noticed it was a Titleist 6 and not a 1, that Ahn had been playing. It was then that Hegna told Ahn that she should tell II Mi Chung (the other player involved). Ahn did not acknowledge what Hegna had said. After the players had signed their scorecards and were heading back to the Clubhouse, Ahn told Hegna (her caddie), to be here at 6:40 the next morning and "to not say anything to anyone".
Hegna went on to dinner and continued to think about the situation at hand. Once he got back to his hotel room, his roommates told him that he and his player were disqualified. Hegna had not been the one to report this. He still doesn't know if Ahn told Chung and she went to officials, or how they came to know. He then had to meet with LPGA officials on Friday after being summoned for questioning. He told the truth of what happened.
Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE the LPGA. What I don't like is the fact that the player did not take accountability for the situation when brought to her attention before she ever went to sign her scorecard. Second, I don't like the fact that the LPGA did not act more on this, especially after finding out the situation when they questioned Hegna on Friday. Third, after thinking about this when @hankupright asked me about my thoughts; I do feel that in this situation it would have been appropriate for him to have brought this to an officials attention before any cards were signed. It was a tough spot for him to be in, and he felt it was up to Ahn to be HONEST and admit the error instead of openly asking him to keep it hush hush.
I think ANY professional athlete whether it be a golfer or a baseball player, should have the morals and respect for the game to play such within the governed RULES. To play with integrity and respect for other competitors as well, and to RESPECT your caddie who is there working hard for YOU! It is my OPINION that Ahn showed complete and utter disregard for the game, her caddie,her competitors, and the rules that the governing body set forth, so that this doesn't happen! I feel that Tim Hegna acted appropriately in telling his player of the mistake. I believe when a caddie is on the course working for you, they too must follow rules and respect the game. Tim did just that and KUDOS to him for his integrity. He was part of a "team", and he did not want to be part of a cheating team. I'm not saying Ahn set out to cheat by any means, I simply feel that when brought to her attention, she did not react honestly or within the rules.
I have no doubt that players such as Christina Kim, Michelle Wie, Cristie Kerr or Karen Stupples, would have done the right thing and notified an official upon learning of the error either by catching it themselves or by their caddie informing them (if they didn't realize it). I believe that to be a role model and a professional athlete, one must possess the RESPECT for the game and the RULES of the game! I thank GOD that we have great players on the LPGA. I know that one bad apple won't spoil the bunch for me however, it makes a mark on the LPGA and not just the player involved in the dishonest events that transpired last Thursday.
In closing, I'd like to Thank @hankupright for asking my thoughts and truly getting me to really look at the situation. Again, my disappointment is with player Ahn and I feel she should be suspended for the remainder of the season for her blatant disregard for the rules and the deceit shown when her caddie brought this to her attention before ever signing her scorecard.
Now, Go Hit Some Balls................
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