Nelly Korda Disqualified After Celebratory Cartwheel Knocks Over Competitor’s Ball Mid-Putt
In a stunning and truly bizarre turn of events at the 2025 LPGA Championship, Nelly Korda, one of the sport’s brightest stars, was disqualified from the tournament after a celebratory cartwheel unintentionally disrupted a competitor’s play. The sequence of events, which unfolded on the 12th green of the tournament’s final round, left fans, players, and officials in shock as the sporting world tried to wrap its head around how such a freak incident could occur on the grandest stage of women’s golf.
The Build-Up to the Incident
The championship was already one for the ages, with Korda leading the field by a mere stroke going into the final round. Her performance throughout the tournament had been nothing short of spectacular, as she dominated the course with precision shots, powerful drives, and a seemingly unshakable composure. Fans and pundits alike had been waiting for her to clinch yet another major victory, further cementing her legacy as one of the most dominant players in the history of the sport.
However, the tension of the final round reached a fever pitch when Korda approached the 12th green, still holding a narrow lead over her closest competitor, Brittany Lee, a rising star known for her aggressive style of play. Korda had just sunk a birdie putt to extend her lead, a crucial move that had her team and supporters on edge with anticipation of the final holes. But in a moment of uncharacteristic joy, Korda, caught in the heat of the moment, decided to let loose with an impromptu cartwheel.
It was supposed to be a simple celebration. A way to express the thrill of a pivotal birdie. But as Korda executed her cartwheel near the edge of the green, her foot—perhaps a little too exuberantly—made contact with Lee’s ball, which was delicately poised for a crucial putt. The ball, which had been inches away from dropping into the hole, rolled off the green and into the rough, leaving Lee stunned and unable to finish her putt.
The Immediate Aftermath
The incident immediately brought the game to a halt. Both Korda and Lee stood in shock, as the reality of what had just happened set in. Korda, clearly mortified by what she had done, rushed to apologize, but it was clear that the damage had already been done. The tournament’s rules are strict about interference with play, and the LPGA officials, while understanding of the accident, were left with little choice but to make a ruling.
Tournament referee Margaret Turner was the first to address the situation. With a sigh, she informed Korda that the incident had violated the LPGA’s Code of Conduct, which prohibits any physical interference with an opponent’s ball during play. “The rules are clear,” Turner explained to the crowd, her voice tinged with disbelief. “While we understand this was a moment of celebration, the integrity of the game must always come first. Nelly Korda is hereby disqualified from the 2025 LPGA Championship.”
The announcement was met with stunned silence. Fans, many of whom had been cheering Korda on throughout the tournament, exchanged bewildered looks. Some were in disbelief, while others were beginning to process the absurdity of the situation. It was a moment that would forever be etched into the annals of golf history, albeit for all the wrong reasons.
Korda’s Reaction
In the immediate aftermath, Korda was visibly shaken. The 26-year-old golfer, known for her composed and calm demeanor on the course, struggled to process what had just occurred. She took a few moments to gather herself before addressing the media.
“I… I can’t believe this happened,” Korda said, her voice faltering slightly. “I never meant for anything like this to occur. It was a simple celebration. I was just so caught up in the moment, and I honestly didn’t even see Brittany’s ball. I’m heartbroken for her, and I never wanted to ruin her round like that.”
Her teammates and coaching staff quickly rallied around her, offering words of comfort. Despite the awkwardness of the situation, Korda’s response was gracious. She continued, “I want to apologize to Brittany and to everyone watching this event. It’s one of those things you never imagine happening, but the rules are the rules, and I accept the decision. I’ll learn from this and move forward.”
Many fans applauded her humility and sportsmanship, but it was clear that Korda’s disqualification would dominate the headlines for days to come.
Lee’s Reaction
Brittany Lee, who had been on the receiving end of the cartwheel mishap, was understandably shaken. After all, this had been the pivotal moment of her career, and the disqualification of Korda changed the trajectory of her own performance. With Korda no longer in the running, Lee now found herself in a strong position to win, although the circumstances of her rise to the top were far from ideal.
“I was just in shock,” Lee confessed during her post-round interview. “I never expected something like that to happen, especially not in a major tournament. I’ve been playing golf for years, and I’ve never seen anything like it. But hey, Nelly didn’t mean to do it, and I respect how she handled the situation. I just wish the circumstances were different.”
Lee, who had been trailing Korda by one stroke at the time of the incident, would go on to finish the round and eventually claim the victory. But the moment of her triumph was clouded by the bizarre circumstances that led to it. While she was able to celebrate the win, Lee acknowledged that her victory would always carry the strange context of Korda’s disqualification.
Reactions from the Golfing World
The golfing world reacted swiftly to the news, with a mixture of disbelief, humor, and disbelief once again. Social media exploded with memes, jokes, and commentary about the “cartwheel heard around the world,” as some began calling it. Fans joked that Korda might be the first player ever disqualified for being “too joyful,” while others lamented how a simple celebration could lead to such a monumental error.
Golf commentators weighed in on the incident, with many calling it a “freak occurrence” and emphasizing that Korda’s disqualification was in no way a reflection of her character or skill. “This is one of those moments that you just can’t predict,” said veteran commentator Pat Kinsella. “Nelly’s a great player, and this was a fluke. There’s no ill intent here. It was just an unfortunate accident.”
LPGA commissioner Heather Daly-Donofrio addressed the situation in a press conference later that day. “While we regret that this happened, the rules of the game are there to ensure fairness and consistency. It was a mistake, but the integrity of the tournament has to be maintained. We will continue to work with our players to ensure that such incidents are avoided in the future.”
A Lasting Legacy
While Korda’s disqualification undoubtedly overshadowed the rest of the tournament, it also became a part of her legacy in the sport—albeit in a very different way than anyone could have predicted. The incident served as a reminder that, no matter how skilled or accomplished an athlete may be, they are still human, prone to mistakes and unpredictable moments.
In the weeks following the incident, Korda’s disqualification became a topic of conversation at almost every LPGA event. Fans continued to express their sympathy for the golfer, while also acknowledging the strange and humorous nature of the mishap. Korda, ever the professional, continued to dominate the tour, using the experience as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of professional sports.
While the 2025 LPGA Championship will forever be remembered for Korda’s unexpected exit, it also marked a moment of growth for both Korda and the sport as a whole. It was a reminder that even the most well-rehearsed moments can go awry—and that in golf, as in life, sometimes a simple celebration can lead to the most bizarre of consequences.
The story of Korda’s disqualification will undoubtedly be passed down through the annals of golf history, a quirky footnote in the otherwise stellar career of one of the sport’s brightest stars. But as Korda herself has proven time and time again, the road to greatness is often paved with the most unexpected and outlandish challenges.