Emerging LPGA star opens up on cheating scandal
https://golfweek.usatoday.com/story...heating-ban-ina-yoon-south-korea/89806570007/
Ina Yoon on her way back to America - Her 2nd season on the LPGA
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https://golfweek.usatoday.com/story...heating-ban-ina-yoon-south-korea/89806570007/
Ina Yoon in hot water back in Korea again
Four-Year-Old Rule Violation Reporting Delay Revisited in U.S."Caddie Told Me to Play It" Remark Puts Her in Hot Water"Imprudent Expression," She Says, But Bitter Aftertaste Remains
Sports|
Published 2026.04.30. 16:29:15
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By Yang Jun-ho (Commentary)
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Yoon Ina putts during the fourth round of the Chevron Championship at Memorial Park Golf Course in Texas on the 26th (local time). AFP Yonhap
Yoon Ina, the female professional golfer who once stirred Korea's golf world with her delayed reporting of a rule violation, has put herself in a difficult position with untimely remarks.
Yoon's management agency on Tuesday released a statement from the player, saying, "The interview conducted before the final round of the Chevron Championship was given in an urgent situation immediately after the round, and the expressions used during the explanation were not careful enough. I apologize to everyone who may have been hurt by those remarks. I recognize that the responsibility lies with me as the player under any circumstances, and I want to make clear there was no intention to shift blame to anyone else."
The interview in question was published by Golfweek in the U.S. According to the article, Yoon recalled the past wrong-ball incident in Korea, saying, "The caddie told me to play it. I shouldn't have listened, but I did." The remark carried a nuance of blaming the rule violation on the caddie. However, the comments sparked controversy because the caddie had previously been known to have confirmed to the player that it was a wrong ball.
In the first round of the Korea Women's Open in June 2022, Yoon's tee shot drifted to the right. While searching for her ball, she played a ball in the rough after others nearby said it was there. She later confirmed it was not her ball but continued the round without reporting it, only declaring the rule violation a month later.
After returning from her suspension and playing on the domestic tour for a period, Yoon made her LPGA Tour debut last year and confirmed a clear upward trend by finishing tied for fourth at the Chevron Championship, which ended Sunday.
The problematic interview was conducted after the third round of the tournament. The fact that she chose to discuss the specifics of an incident from nearly four years ago is itself puzzling. While some say the local reporter had persistently pressed her on the matter, it was not a careful response.
There is also talk that the caddie in question is reviewing a defamation lawsuit in connection with the remarks. In her statement, Yoon said, "Through this incident, I have once again deeply realized that my words and actions can have significant impact." But like the delayed reporting four years ago, this may once again prove to be a realization that comes too late.
Yoon Ina Back in Spotlight Over Untimely Remarks on Past Rule Violation
Four-Year-Old Rule Violation Reporting Delay Revisited in U.S."Caddie Told Me to Play It" Remark Puts Her in Hot Water"Imprudent Expression," She Says, But Bitter Aftertaste Remains
Sports|
Published 2026.04.30. 16:29:15
|
By Yang Jun-ho (Commentary)
||
Yoon Ina putts during the fourth round of the Chevron Championship at Memorial Park Golf Course in Texas on the 26th (local time). AFP Yonhap
Yoon Ina, the female professional golfer who once stirred Korea's golf world with her delayed reporting of a rule violation, has put herself in a difficult position with untimely remarks.
Yoon's management agency on Tuesday released a statement from the player, saying, "The interview conducted before the final round of the Chevron Championship was given in an urgent situation immediately after the round, and the expressions used during the explanation were not careful enough. I apologize to everyone who may have been hurt by those remarks. I recognize that the responsibility lies with me as the player under any circumstances, and I want to make clear there was no intention to shift blame to anyone else."
The interview in question was published by Golfweek in the U.S. According to the article, Yoon recalled the past wrong-ball incident in Korea, saying, "The caddie told me to play it. I shouldn't have listened, but I did." The remark carried a nuance of blaming the rule violation on the caddie. However, the comments sparked controversy because the caddie had previously been known to have confirmed to the player that it was a wrong ball.
In the first round of the Korea Women's Open in June 2022, Yoon's tee shot drifted to the right. While searching for her ball, she played a ball in the rough after others nearby said it was there. She later confirmed it was not her ball but continued the round without reporting it, only declaring the rule violation a month later.
After returning from her suspension and playing on the domestic tour for a period, Yoon made her LPGA Tour debut last year and confirmed a clear upward trend by finishing tied for fourth at the Chevron Championship, which ended Sunday.
The problematic interview was conducted after the third round of the tournament. The fact that she chose to discuss the specifics of an incident from nearly four years ago is itself puzzling. While some say the local reporter had persistently pressed her on the matter, it was not a careful response.
There is also talk that the caddie in question is reviewing a defamation lawsuit in connection with the remarks. In her statement, Yoon said, "Through this incident, I have once again deeply realized that my words and actions can have significant impact." But like the delayed reporting four years ago, this may once again prove to be a realization that comes too late.