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Alison Corpuz won the US Women’s Open on Sunday in Pebble Beach, but her winning streak was about to be spoiled.
As Corpuz and partner Nasa Hatooka played in the full nine during the last round, they were placed on the clock for being out of position. The group was initially put on the clock while playing the 11th hole — and to add insult to injury, Corpuz holder, Jay Monahan (no, no that Jay Monahan), had to run to the bathroom after putting the set on the clock.
“I was like, ‘This is the worst possible time,'” Monahan said. “I’m running up the hill – I’m climbing up there.”
Two holes later, Corpuz received a bad time for taking too long on her approach shot. She later explains that she was between clubs in the driveway and decided at the last moment to switch sticks.
“On that particular shot, I just backed away because the wind died down,” Corpuz said.
As Corpuz and Monahan were walking to the green, a USGA rules official approached them and reported the bad time. He also explained that if they received another bad time, they would be evaluated in one fell swoop.
“I didn’t know that,” Monahan said. Because it’s usually good for slow play [on the LPGA Tour]. So he told us that and I turned around and said, “Wait, we get whipped if we get another one?” I suspect [Corpuz] You heard me say it, and it was a little exhausting at that time.”
Monahan added that the warning was justified, but he believes there should have been some leniency with the situation in mind.
However, Corpuz was unfazed by a potential penalty, judging by her stoic form. When she reached the green on the par-4, she par-boiled a two-putt for the bonus and went on to birdie the next two holes to put the championship out of reach.
“I just told myself, yeah, just keep playing,” Corpuz said. “Don’t let your focus get away from it.”