R&A Issues Statement On Lexi Thompson Rules Incident

Lexi has been cleared of any wrongdoing after a video emerged of her moving a tuft of grass next to her ball

R&A Issues Statement On Lexi Thompson Rules Incident
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Lexi has been cleared of any wrongdoing after a video emerged of her moving a tuft of grass next to her ball

R&A Issues Statement On Lexi Thompson Rules Incident

Lexi Thompson came under fire at the Women's Open after being filmed moving a tuft of grass next to her ball during the opening round.

Lexi faced an approach into the 16th hole from the right rough where the tuft of grass was slightly in the way.

She moved it with her club but the wind then blew it back to its original position.

There were lots of criticisms on social media, saying that she should be docked two strokes, however The R&A have said that she has been cleared as it didn't affect her shot.

"Yesterday, as part of its normal TV review procedures, The R&A viewed Lexi Thompson’s actions prior to playing her second shot at the 16th hole in round one of the AIG Women’s Open," the statement read.

"Following a discussion between Chief Referee David Rickman and the player prior to her signing her scorecard it was determined that, although the player had moved a growing natural object behind her ball, it had returned to its original position.

"Therefore, the lie of the ball was not improved and there was no breach of Rule 8.1."

Watch the clip from social media below:

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Rule 8.1a states that you must not ‘Move, bend or break any growing or attached natural object’ if it improves the conditions affecting the stroke.

A breach of Rule 8 results in the General Penalty, which is two strokes.

She did move grass but in this instance she did not actually improve her lie as the ball remained in the same spot, as did the grass.

Related: Golfer loses US Amateur match after caddie tests bunker

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Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!


Elliott is currently playing:


Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV