SPO_230707 Natthakritta Vongtaveelap-1688739910015
Natthakritta Vongtaveelap of Thailand plays her shot from the 14th tee during the first round of the 78th US Women's Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on Thursday. Image Credit: AFP

Pebble Beach, California: Natthakritta Vongtaveelap of Thailand only made it through five holes Thursday in the US Women’s Open when she was disqualified for her caddie using a rangefinder.

The USGA said the Thai’s caddie used the distance measuring device on multiple occasions. She was even par through the 14th hole — having started on No. 10 — when she was disqualified.

Pace of play

Such devices are allowed at LPGA Tour-sanctioned events except for the US Women’s Open, which is run by the USGA, and the Women’s British Open run by the R&A.

Vongtaveelap missed the cut last week in the Women’s PGA Championship. The PGA of America allows rangefinders, hopeful it will help with pace of play for when players get out of position and might need extra time to measure distances.