By: Max Bechtoldt
This weekend on her Instagram page, Nasa Hataoka released a statement on her recent disqualification in the ShopRite LPGA Classic, one that has had major ramifications on her Olympic hopes.
For a bit of catch up, Hataoka, at the time ranked No. 19 in the world, was the second highest ranked Japanese player heading into the ShopRite LPGA Classic. The race for the final spot on team Japan is the closest in the world, with three players within four spots of each other. Hataoka was disqualified because of signing an incorrect scorecard, because she was later assessed a penalty for taking too long looking for a ball that went into the high fescue grass on the last hole of her first round. Hataoka was in featured group coverage, and that Golf Channel broadcast was used in order to make a ruling.
Hataoka, as a player popular with the media, fans and fellow players alike, quickly had a lot of people rush to her defense. Over the weekend, Hataoka herself joined the discussion.
Hataoka took issue with three portions of the ruling against her.
- Ambiguity of the Rules – Nasa said that the rule on time searching for a ball is unclear, with the time the search starts and the official timer not being made clearly defined by the rules of golf.
- Timing of Violation Notices and Penalties – Hataoka says she wasn’t told a violation was possible until after she had already signed her scorecard, and if she was told earlier she would have had the opportunity to correct the mistake.
- Verification through Footage – As Hataoka points out, it is impossible to have footage of every shot from every player, thus the stronger players generally are at a disadvantage for being on camera. Her ruling was verified through the broadcast footage, a standard that relatively very little of the field is held to. There were rules officials and other players around, and Hataoka believes they should determine the rulings.
Hataoka also apologized to the fans for not finishing the event, and thanked everyone who helped in the search for her ball.
Because fellow Japanese player Ayaka Furue finished runner-up in the event, Hataoka has now fallen one spot out of the Olympic qualifying with only one tournament left to play.
