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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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