Ryu wins dramatic ANA Inspiration as Thompson handed four-stroke penalty

So Yeon Ryu won the ANA Inspiration on the first play-off hole against Lexi Thompson as trial by television hit the headlines once again.

Ryu, who carded a four-under-par 68 and birdied the first sudden-death hole against Lexi, said that there was a weird feeling to her second major title.

“I cannot believe the situation. I didn’t even check the leaderboard, Lexi was playing so well. I didn’t expect it,” she said.

“It hurts me as well, it is a weird feeling but at the same time I am proud of myself.”

Thompson was leading by two when she was informed by a rules official on the 12th hole that she was to incur a four-shot penalty for her third round.

A viewer had called in and noticed she had incorrectly replaced her ball on the 17th green, resulting in a two-shot penalty and a further two-shots for signing for the wrong score.

Is this a joke?” Thompson said after being informed by a rules official, before making birdies on three of the last six holes to force the play-off.

Thompson had led by two shots going in to the final round and was visibly distraught, but somehow pulled herself together to bounce back with a birdie on the 13th hole for a share of the lead.

A bogey on 15 put her once again on the back foot, and she missed an eagle putt on the 18th for the outright win – instead forcing a play-off with Ryu.

The LPGA gave their statement via social media, but once again the rules of golf dampened the final round at a major. 

After her round, Lexi gave one of the most professional interviews following a loss like that – and then spent time signing autographs for fans.

It is unfortunate with what happened, I did not mean that at all, I had no idea that I did it,” Thompson told the Golf Channel.

“I had to regroup myself, my caddie helped me out tremendously, we have a great relationship. I tried to gather myself and I made a great putt at 13.

“But it’s all to the fans, they helped me get through the rest of the round and I thank them a lot.

“I learned a lot about myself and how much I have in me. I wasn’t expecting what happened today to happen and I will learn from it.”

Players react to Lexi Thompson four-shot penalty

It was no surprise that players took to twitter to show their anger about the situation, furious that someone at home was able to affect the outcome of a major tournament the day after an incident happened.