They Penalize For Slow Play In New Zealand

Nice notice by John Strege to point out the one-stroke slow play penalty Giula Sergas received at the end of third round play in the New Zealand Women's Open. Sergas led going into the final round but eventually finished second.

Martin Davidson explained what happened in his New Zealand Herald story:

The real drama occurred between the 18th green and the scorer's hut when Sergas, an 11-year tour veteran and still without a European title to her name, was called aside by officials and told she was being penalised one stroke for slow play down the 18th hole.

Within 20 minutes a teary-eyed Sergas fronted a media conference and spoke of her dismay at the treatment handed out to her.

She was already trying to get her head around the fact that circumstances and a variety of play among a number of players had seen her lead slashed to four after she led the chasing pack by eight shots leaving the 16th green.

"They said I was a little too slow. It could've been," Sergas said. "I play really, really fast. It was upsetting because I got penalised for just one hole that went bad for me. I am really upset about it and the decision."