Nasa Hataoka posted a long letter on her Instagram handle addressing her disqualification. The Japanese pro, whose Olympic chances are under threat after the DQ, has a few recommendations for the LPGA Tour. Hataoka was disqualified from the Shoprite LPGA Classic for taking too long to find a lost ball. 

Hataoka shot her approach deep inside the fescue surrounding the 9th green, her last hole of the first round. Although her ball was found, the LPGA later deemed that it took more than three minutes allowed under Rule 18.2a. 18.2b, on the other hand, states that if a ball is lost, under the stroke and distance rule, the golfer should play from the same place she played from. 

LPGA, in its official statement, explained, “When Hataoka did not play from where she had previously played from, she played from the wrong place (Rule 14.7).” Unless it’s corrected in time—until leaving the scoring area—the player can face disqualification. 

The issue was that LPGA decided it later after watching the footage the following day. Hataoka, in the statement, said she didn’t want to contest the rule but offered three-point suggestions. 

Under the first, ‘Ambiguity in the Rules’, the 25-year-old noted that while time is of the essence, there is no official clock that determines when the search has started. Also, it is not mentioned who measures the time. Hataoka suggested, that the “ambiguites should be eliminated as much as possible, and a practical and enforcalbe measures should be established.”

Secondly, Hataoka noted that the violation was only brought to her attention after she submitted her scorecard, and her playing partners agreed to it. She also noted that the possible violation was notified by a third party, in this case, broadcasting footage. 

The six-time LPGA Tour winner added, “I strongly believe that penalties should be imposed based on external points of view afterward.” Golf Channel’s Tom Abbott first voiced his concern on air. Abbott, too, was involved in the search for her ball.

Thirdly, Nasa Hataoka also added that third-party footage verification should not be used unless it’s feasible to record every play of every player. Pointing out the paradox, Hataoka noted that, in the absence of footage, violations like this don’t exist. “[A]pplication of rules should be determined by the players, fellow competitors, or rules officials.” 

Hataoka’s post immediately drew commendations from her LPGA peers. Earlier, Jenny Shin issued a strongly worded statement against her DQ. Now more players have stood by Hataoka. 

LPGA pros rally behind Nasa Hataoka

Hataoka’s DQ has left many shaken, it appears. The comment section was filled with supportive words from Hannah Green, Linn Grant, Emma Talley, and others. Green wrote, “Well said Nasa” The Finnish pro, Matilda Castren, wrote, “Couldn’t agree more Nasa!!” Linn Grant responded with a thumbs-up emoji. Emma Talley, on the other hand, wrote, “Absolutely agree.”

Gemma Dryburgh echoed similar thoughts. “Well said Nasa! Couldn’t agree more,” wrote the Scottish pro. Yui Kawamoto, Nasa Hataoka’s JLPGA colleague, commented, “I think so too… Don’t give up Nasa.” Albane Valenzuela, who finished T9 at the Shoprite LPGA Classic, also commented, “100% agreed.”

Previously Jenny Shin wrote a lengthy tweet. “Nasa Hataoka getting DQed because someone thought it was 25seconds over 3mins after the scorecard was signed, should not be happening. Should someone be timing to prevent this? Maybe, however, if I heard correctly, there was a rules official who was present to help her take an unplayable and all players/caddies in the group did not mention anything to the official or even after the fact. This is probably costing her dearly for the Olympics coming up. Not ideal.”

Nasa Hataoka hasn’t teed up at the ongoing Meijer LPGA Classic. Hataoka’s only chance to solidify her spot in the Olympics is at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Currently, Yuka Saso and Ayaka Furure are leading the race from Japan.