Former NCAA golf champion Doris Chen has been disqualified from the LPGA’s qualifying tournament for playing a ball that her mother had moved back in bounds. Chen, the US Girls Junior champion in 2010 and 2014 NCAA champion for USC, was competing in the Q-series event at Pinehurst in North Carolina where top finishers earn LPGA membership.
The LPGA stated on Saturday that Chen and her caddie knowingly played the ball after her mother intervened on the 17th hole during the seventh round. A homeowner near the Pinehurst NC golf course witnessed Chen’s mother, Yuh-Guey Lin, moving the ball. Chen initially claimed it was a misunderstanding and denied direct involvement, attributing it to the stress of the moment.
Chen expressed regret over the incident and acknowledged her lapse in judgment, leading to her disqualification. She mentioned feeling overwhelmed and assured that she is focused on resolving the issue. The unfortunate turn of events underscores the challenges faced by Chen during the tournament.
