LPGA 2-time winner Carlota Ciganda’s Disqualification at Evian Championship Sparks Controversy

LPGA professional Carlota Ciganda found herself disqualified following her second round at the Evian Championship. The disqualification was the result of signing an incorrect scorecard due to slow play, a decision that left Ciganda and her supporters questioning the fairness of the ruling. In this blog post, we delve into the incident and present Ciganda’s side of the story, highlighting her frustrations with the LPGA rules officials and shedding light on an issue that raises questions about the treatment of players on the tour.

After carding a 1-over 72 on Friday, Ciganda was informed that she was required to add a two-stroke penalty for slow play. This came after her group had received a warning on No. 7 for being out of position, followed by being timed on No. 8. The time taken by Ciganda on the following hole led to the two-stroke penalty. Despite attempting to appeal with the lead official, her request was denied.

Expressing her frustration, Ciganda took to Instagram to address the incident. In her Instagram story, she vehemently disputed the claim that she took 52 seconds to putt on the final hole. Ciganda criticized the focus on stopwatch timing and suggested that the officials failed to grasp the essence of professional golf. She further contended that her family and friends, who were present, attested to the unlikelihood of her taking that long to complete the putt.

This disqualification was not the first instance of Ciganda facing penalties for slow play. In a previous event in 2021, at the Bank of Hope LPGA Match Play, she incurred a penalty on the final hole, which ultimately cost her the match. With this history, it is understandable for Ciganda and her supporters to question the consistency and fairness in applying slow play penalties.

Conditions at the Evian Resort Golf Club were particularly demanding on the day of Ciganda’s disqualification. Howling winds and challenging pin positions presented a formidable challenge to all players. It is crucial to note that while Ciganda’s group struggled with slow play, not all competitors faced the same issue.