Karrie Webb walks off the 18th after her second round. Photo: Getty Images
Defending champion Karrie Webb has been sensationally disqualified from the Australian Ladies Masters for signing an incorrect scorecard.
The eight-time Ladies Masters champion was disqualified by tournament organisers shortly after the completion of her second round at Royal Pines on the Gold Coast.
Webb, who had been fighting to stay above the cut line for most of the day, signed a scorecard for one-over par 74.
That would have been good enough to keep her above the cut at two-over for the tournament but officials quickly challenged Webb’s card, claiming she’d bogeyed the par-5 12th which Webb’s card showed as a par.
Ladies European Tour tournament director Fraser Munro said it was Webb who had realised the error and notified officials.
‘‘Initially she wanted to get to the bottom of the problem,’’ Munro said.
‘‘It was quite clear she signed for an incorrect scorecard. She was obviously disappointed.
‘‘She needs to verify all her 18 hole scores. That's her duty ... she’s not properly checked her scorecard and left the recording area.’’
The Australian has dominated the tournament over the years, playing 76 rounds in 20 Ladies Masters tournaments at the resort-style Gold Coast layout, averaging 69 per round from 1993 to 2013 on a course which has been both par 72 and par 73.
American Cheyenne Woods and South Africa's Stacy Lee Bregman lead by one shot at 10-under.
AAP, more to come
