The huge wall at the back of the 18th green stopped balls going into the water and ultimately changed the strategy of the final hole
Social Media Criticises “Farcical” And “Stupid” ANA Inspiration Wall
Mirim Lee won her maiden Major title at the ANA Inspiration after a controversial finish.
The Korean chipped in for the third time on Sunday at the 18th for eagle to get into a playoff with Nelly Korda and Brooke Henderson.
However, many felt that Korda was hard done by as both her playoff opponents used the ‘Great Wall of Dinah’ behind the 18th green as a backstop, which stops balls rolling into the water beyond.
The huge wall was placed there instead of the usual grandstand with no fans on-site.
Henderson birdied the finishing hole after hitting a 5 wood into the wall and getting a free drop after Lee chipped in for eagle after also taking advantage of the wall.
Mirim Lee admitted to using the wall as a backstop in her interview after winning.
“I definitely thought to utilise the back and the back board. When I had practice rounds, I had practiced that shot, so it was a definite for me to use the space there,” she said through a translator.
Justin Thomas called it “such a bad set up on the last hole of a Major.”
Social Media Criticises “Farcical” And “Stupid” ANA Inspiration Wall –
Cost @NellyKorda a major! Such a bad set up on the last hole of a major
— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) September 14, 2020
The @LPGA not doing their tour any favours with the farcical 18th and it's ridiculous blue wall back stop at the ANA Inspiration.
— ByTheMinute Golf (@ByTheMinGolf) September 13, 2020
The wall just doesn’t look better from this angle either. But at least the playoff keeps playing 18 over and over again 😩 @ANAinspiration pic.twitter.com/KttKAkY5fW
— Geoff Shackelford (@GeoffShac) September 13, 2020
Gotta feel for Nelly Korda. If not for that stupid wall, she may be lifting the @ANAinspiration trophy right now…..
— Alistair Tait (@GolfTait) September 13, 2020
Ugh, if that unnecessary blue monstrosity behind the 18th green wasn't there Mirim Lee's crashing hook is almost certainly in the water long and left. (Ronald Reagan voice): Mr @LPGACommish, tear down that wall.
— Alan Shipnuck (@AlanShipnuck) September 13, 2020
The last couple of hours at the ANA Inspiration has been brilliant – great sport – but this ending is starting to look a bit farcical. #golf
— Nick Metcalfe (@Nick_Metcalfe) September 13, 2020
Why yes, this wall behind the 18th green *is* going to play a role. Mirim Lee's approach was coming in hot but bounced off the wall. She got relief and then chipped in for eagle to tie the lead. pic.twitter.com/cGKSb9MAyX
— Ryan Lavner (@RyanLavnerGC) September 13, 2020
This could all be rendered moot in 10 minutes, but that the Blue Wall behind the 18th green set up Mirim Lee's tying chip-in eagle is not good
— Ryan Ballengee (@RyanBallengee) September 13, 2020
Dirty Birdie from Brook Henderson, taking backstopping to a whole new level #anainspiration
— Carl Peirson (@carlpeirson) September 13, 2020
Brooke Henderson is in this playoff because of a backstop that she intentionally hit her ball into. Not a fan.
— Joe GolfTraveler (@GolfTravelerJoe) September 13, 2020
If that wall was not there, Nelly Korda would already be your Dinah Shore champion.
— Scott Michaux (@ScottMichaux) September 13, 2020
Korda gets screwed by the wall twice. Mirim Lee makes Eagle when she should have been scrambling from hooking it in the water and then she gets iced while Henderson gets a ruling for 10 minutes.
— Parker Corrin (@ParkerCorrin) September 13, 2020
Poor Nelly Korda has to get up and down for par to get into a playoff here, because of a wall aided eagle. Now she’s waiting forever while one playing partner’s caddy is crawling under the wall to look for a ball, and the other is trying not to fall into the pond.
— Bryan Geary (@bgeary8) September 13, 2020
Fair play to Mirim Lee but if that wall at the @ANAinspiration ends up deciding this tournament then it's a disgrace. So unbecoming of a major tournament.
— Griss (@conor_os) September 13, 2020
Brilliant finish to the ANA Inspiration but whoever decided to have a big wall as a back stop behind the 18th needs their head looking at 🙈😂
— Jamie Greaves | Golf Fitness🏌️♂️ (@JGGolfFitness) September 13, 2020
Man, all week we hoped the wall wouldn't materially affect the tournament at the ANA Inspiration. And now it happens, at the most crucial time. After such a great championship, too. So unfortunate.
— Griss (@conor_os) September 13, 2020
Can you imagine if Augusta put a blue wall behind 15 green so balls don’t go in the water on 16 – I don’t get it ANA
— Dave Dolengowski PGA (@ddolengolfteach) September 13, 2020
A temporary wall and a small wading pool are the stars of the show on the 18th green at the ANA Inspiration.
— Hugh Burrill (@hughwburrill) September 13, 2020
Related: Mirim Lee What’s in the bag?
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