Rules of golf: 10 biggest controversies of the decade

Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, and Lexi Thompson were all engulfed in some of the decade’s biggest Rules of Golf controversies.

4. Anna Nordqvist, 2016 U.S. Women’s Open

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Officials discuss a penalty with Anna Nordqvist at the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open. (Photo: Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports)

Nordqvist was assessed a two-stroke penalty for touching sand with her club in a fairway bunker – a violation of Rule 13-4b – after officials reviewed high-def video from the telecast. Nordqvist, who was playing the 17th hole for what was the second of a three-hole playoff against Brittany Lang, wasn’t informed of the violation until a hole later. The USGA’s handling of this situation, especially the timing of the decision, was again called into question.