“Karen Behavior”: Days After Lydia Ko’s Infamous Penalty, Another LPGA Star’s Actions Infuriates the Golf World

A necessary component of every game are the rules and guidelines. While each athlete has a unique temperament and set of tactics, equality in the games can only be achieved by giving each athlete an equal chance to succeed. Golf, of course, is no different! To promote fairness on the greens, every player must abide by the rules. And when they don’t, as Lydia Ko recently found out, there are consequences!

Recently, the women’s world No. 3 was given a whopping 7-stroke penalty for improperly playing preferred lies at the 2023 Dana Open. And now, yet another LPGA star faces a similar set of severe consequences and has left the golf world in a fit. The reason, however, couldn’t have been further away from Ko’s!

Drama follows at the Amundi Evian Championship just days after the Lydia Ko controversey

At the Evian Resort Club, at the 4th major in women’s golf this week, a group of golfers began being timed at the 8th hole. The group, consisting of Carlota Ciganda, Celine Herbin, and Anna Nordqvist, had their shot timed because they had taken far too long on the seventh hole. The LPGA star, however, took longer on the ninth hole as well. This led to officials penalizing her with a two-stroke penalty in accordance with the Pace of Play Policy of the LPGA Tour.

Ciganda was then given the chance to appeal; however, when she did, her request was denied. Surprisingly, this is not where the story ends! The LPGA star chose not to mark a two-stroke penalty on her scoreboard. She had been informed in advance that she would be disqualified if she left the arena with a signed score that was lower (without the penalty strokes). After the second round of the Amundi Evian Championship, Ciganda was dismissed for breaking the regulation and refusing to take a slow-play penalty.

This was shockingly not the golf pros first run in with the pace police either! In 2021, Ciganda made a birdie on the last hole at the Bank of Hope LPGA Match-Play to win the match. However, regrettably, she was penalized because she took too much time for her play. Hence, she was stripped of the title. And now, with this week’s disqualification, the LPGA pro has garnered a lot of attention online for her actions!

Read More – After Shocking Everyone With Retirement News, Lydia Ko Backtracks With a Firm Statement

Ciganda’s rebellious actions left fans infuriated

Many of the fans disapproved of Ciganda’s behavior. Many spectators become frustrated by the game’s ongoing lethargic play, especially at LPGA championships. They also claimed that because of the slow play, fewer people watch the LPGA events.

One fan commented that Ciganda’s act was actually stupid. He compared it to the infamous ‘Karen’ behavior.

One fan seemed disappointed by the news. He wrote:

When Patrick Cantlay waited too long to make shots at the Masters, he came under fire. This incident definitely reminded fans of Cantlay.

What do you think about Ciganda’s action and slow pace leading to her downfall yet again? Let us know in the comments below.

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