How a scorecard error cost a professional golfer her place in a major tournament
In short: Carlota Ciganda is a decorated professional golfer who has dominated European circuits and represented her continent on the world stage. Yet, even the most seasoned athletes can face sudden disqualification. A single administrative oversight regarding a slow-play penalty at the 2023 Evian Championship serves as a stark reminder of golf's rigid rules.
Born in Pamplona, Spain, in 1990, Carlota Ciganda began playing golf at age five. Her path to professional success was paved by a stellar amateur career, which included multiple European Ladies Amateur Championship titles and a collegiate stint at Arizona State University. While at Arizona State, she helped the Sun Devils secure an NCAA championship in 2009 and became the first player to claim back-to-back Pac-10 titles in 2009 and 2010.
Ciganda turned professional in 2011 and immediately made an impact on the Ladies European Tour. In her 2012 debut season, she swept the major awards, winning the Order of Merit, Player of the Year, and Rookie of the Year honors. Her professional trajectory has been marked by significant financial success, including a $1,000,000 prize for winning the 2019 AON Risk Reward Challenge, and consistent participation in high-stakes team events like the Solheim Cup.
Despite her accolades, the sport's strict adherence to protocol can lead to abrupt exits. During the 2023 Evian Championship, Ciganda received a two-stroke penalty for slow play on the ninth hole. After her appeal to tournament officials was rejected, she submitted her scorecard without including the penalty strokes. Because the signed card did not reflect the correct score, she was disqualified. This incident highlights the uncompromising nature of professional golf, where even the most accomplished players must navigate the technicalities of the rules as carefully as the course itself.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Carlota Ciganda
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