No Vagaries Of Match Play Here: U.S. Junior Girls Controversy

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It's not how you'd like to see a U.S. Junior semifinal decided but if you've seen the video and know a thing about golf, Erica Shepherd didn't do a thing wrong. That hasn't stopped some from absurdly criticizing her (thanks reader Brian) and even the Rules of Golf.

Golfweek's Beth Ann Nichols sums up the scene at Boone Valley, where the final between Shepherd and friend Jennifer Chang is underway.

Here is the video from Fox with Shepherd's highlights before you eventually can see the unfortunate moment at the 2 minute mark (not embedded due to autoplay).

It's pretty clear that Moon just made a mistake in wanting to practice the putt she just missed, and that Shepherd didn't have an opportunity to concede the par putt.

Nichols writes:

The difference here, of course, is that Shepherd told rules officials she would have given Moon the putt had there been more time. Even tried to reverse it. But Moon incurred a penalty under Rule 18-2.

“I mean, we both tried to get it to where that putt was given to her but it just – it’s the Rules of Golf,” said Shepherd. “You can’t.”

Nicoson, Shepherd’s longtime instructor, called the whole situation sad.

“Erica went in the locker room to find (Moon) and give her a hug and (Moon) said, ‘I can’t believe I did it out of reaction, it’s not your fault,’ ” Nicoson wrote in a text, “but Erica feels terrible.”

The episode is a good reminder that players who don't normally play match play need to remember some of the fundamentals, such as assuming no putt is good until conceded.

Hopefully, however, Shepherd and match play are not unfairly targeted for a simple innocent mistake.

On another note, lefties will want to watch Shepherd's swing. Impressive and powerful!