LPGA Pro Reveals Unusual Reason For Disqualification

Rising star Maja Stark was disqualified before the start of her second round at the Ascendant LPGA last week after mistakenly using a driver during in the opening round that was not yet on the USGA list of conforming driver heads.

Somewhat unfortunately for the Swede, the driver head, believed to be a new Ping model, was officially listed as conforming by the governing body on Monday - after the conclusion of the tournament.

Speaking candidly about the infringement, the 22-year-old said: "I played with a driver that wasn’t on the list of approved drivers yet (but it is conforming to the rules). I got it on Wednesday from a tour rep and hit good shots on the range. There was some miscommunication, which resulted in neither me nor my caddie (who was with me when I tried it out) being aware that we couldn’t use it in competition yet. 

"It’s my responsibility to know that my clubs are alright to use according to the rules, but I didn’t even think of looking it up or asking because I just assumed that the clubs I get will be okay."

Stark opened with a four-over par round of 75 at the Old American Golf Club in Texas and would have been tasked to make the cut. Unfortunately, she was unable to mount a battle as her early exit was confirmed. 

Golf Digest reached out to the LPGA for clarification, who provided the following statement: "After the conclusion of Round One of The Ascendant LPGA benefiting Volunteers of America, it was discovered that Maja Stark used a driver throughout her round that was not on the List of Conforming Driver Heads.

"Model Local Rule G-1; List of Conforming Driver Heads is included on the 2022 LPGA Rules of Play Card and is in effect for every competition. The penalty for a breach of this Model Local Rule is disqualification.

"After speaking with the player, the use of the driver to make a stroke during Round One was confirmed, and the penalty of disqualification was applied under Model Local Rule G-1."

Stark burst onto the scene at the 2020 US Women's Open when, as an amateur, finished in a tie for 13th. The Swede has since added five Ladies European Tour victories to her ever growing resume, including the co-sanctioned ISPS Handa World Invitational - securing LPGA Tour playing rights in the process. 

Charley Hull of England captured her first LPGA Tour title in six years at the Ascendant LPGA after a seven-under-par final round of 64 secured a one-shot victory over Xiyu Lin.