Under United States Golf Association Rule 6.3c, using the wrong ball in stroke play typically results in a two-stroke penalty, with the player required to correct the mistake. However, Ina Yoon faced far more severe consequences—an 18-month suspension—after violating conduct rules during her debut season on the KLPGA Tour.
Speaking after a round at the Chevron Championship, Yoon reflected on the incident that derailed her early career. She admitted confusion and panic in the moment, which led to a poor decision.
“I wasn’t sure what to do because this had never happened to me, so I was a bit frazzled. My caddie said to hit it. I shouldn’t have listened, but I did. I should have reported it right away, but I was really nervous and scared about that. I missed the cut, and I thought it would be OK. The people around me told me that it shouldn’t be too much of an issue, so I listened.”
The controversy dates back to the first round of the 2022 Korea Women’s Open. After her tee shot landed in the rough, Yoon mistakenly hit another ball, believing it to be hers. She realized the error on the following tee but chose not to report it, a decision that ultimately proved far more damaging than the mistake itself.
The situation escalated a month later during another KLPGA event, where she was publicly accused of cheating. The following day, Yoon reported the incident to the Korean Golf Association. Despite acknowledging her eventual honesty, the KLPGA disciplinary committee initially imposed a three-year ban, citing unsportsmanlike conduct and a breach of its code.
Her rookie season effectively ended at the Hoban Seoul Shinmun Women’s Classic. However, after multiple appeals and significant public support—including thousands of petition signatures—the suspension was reduced to 18 months.
At the time, Yoon expressed regret, saying, “I will not repeat the same mistake again.”
While she has avoided similar issues since returning, she has still faced criticism, including scrutiny over slow play. Meanwhile, questions remain about her caddie’s role in the incident.
The caddie later claimed he had presented Yoon with a choice in the moment. Addressing those remarks, Yoon responded, “He said that I chose to hit the ball, and people believed that.” She ultimately accepted responsibility, adding, “but at the end of the day, I am the player, and the player takes responsibility. I think I was just young and naive, and I listened to it.”
Strict disciplinary actions are not uncommon in professional golf. In 2019, Bio Kim received a three-year suspension on the KPGA Tour for misconduct toward a fan. Elsewhere, players like Mark Hensby and Justin Rose have also faced penalties for playing the wrong ball, though far less severe.
For Yoon, the ordeal now represents a turning point—one she hopes to move past as she works toward rebuilding her career.
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