The LPGA Tour’s Mizuho Americas Open has a unique format that allows active participation from junior female golfers. 24 top-ranked junior amateur players have had the opportunity to tee up at the Liberty National Golf Club alongside the 120 pros since the event was inaugurated in 2023. However, this year, the number has gone down to 23!

In a drastic turn of events, the 212th-ranked women’s amateur golfer Mia Hammond was disqualified from the 2024 Mizuho Americas Open. The LPGA Tour shared the news of her disqualification along with the reason for it. After the first round, the 16-year-old signed her scorecard incorrectly. According to the LPGA Tour’s guidelines, her actions violated the two rules 3.3b (3) in conjunction with 21.1b (3). Setting an example of true sportsmanship, Hammond herself reported the mishap.

So, what does rule number 3.3b (3) state? It says that after the round ends, the golfers carefully need to check the scorecard for any issues and raise them with the LPGA Tour’s Committee. However, the marker cannot change the scores on the scorecards without the Committee’s approval and if any golfer fails to follow the rule, it results in disqualification.

Something similar occurred on the men’s circuit when Jordan Spieth signed his scorecard wrong and was disqualified from the 2024 Genesis Invitational. The disqualification of Hammond marks the Michelle Wie West-hosted event’s fifth exit, as even the defending champion didn’t continue the 2024 Mizuho Americas Open.

What was the common reason for the Mizuho Americas Open’s withdrawals?

Except for Mia Hammond’s self-afflicted disqualification, all four withdrawals were due to an illness, rumored to be the flu. In the early hours of the Mizuho Americas Open, the plans of the 1-time LPGA Tour winner, Caroline Masson, to play at the Liberty National Golf Course were disrupted due to illness. Following her were Maja Stark, who also cited illness as the reason for her withdrawal, and Lindsey Weaver Wright, who was suffering from an injury.

Already, three golfers had opted out of the second edition of the Mizuho Americas Open. The health hassle continued playing the New Jersey event, as after playing three holes (10th, 11th, and 12th), the defending champion, Rose Zhang, shared that she had severe intestinal pain and couldn’t continue at the New Jersey greens. The withdrawal came as a shock but Zhang hoped to return next year, as she wished all the remaining golfers the best for the week.

The Mizuho Americas Open turned out to be a ground for the exit of many high-profile golfers and though it took a drastic turn, it was a gift for South Korean rookie So Mi Lee. The 25-year-old found herself in the field after Stark’s withdrawal and now she is the 18-hole leader after the round concluded at the Liberty National!

The second round has hours to start; will Lee keep her lead after her fortunate admission into the field? It remains to be seen.