Pebble Beach, Calif. — Natakrita Vongtavelap of Thailand pared just five holes Thursday at the US Women’s Open when she was disqualified for using her rangefinder caddy.
The USGA said the Thai golfer’s cart used the distance meter on multiple occasions. She was even through the 14th hole, having started at number 10, when she was ruled out.
Such devices are permitted at LPGA Tour events with the exception of the US Women’s Open, which is operated by the USGA, and the Women’s British Open, which is operated by the R&A.
Vongtaveelap missed the cut last week at the Women’s PGA Championship. The PGA of America allows rangefinders, with the hope that they will help speed play when players are out of position and may need extra time to measure distances.