Golf Controversy: KGA Admits Error in Heo In-hwa’s OB Decision at 2026 GS Caltex Maekyung Open

Translation result.

[mdtoday = Kim Gyo-sik, Staff Reporter] The Korean Golf Association has formally acknowledged and apologized for an officiating error involving Heo In-hoe at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open. In a statement released on May 4, the association said multiple mistakes were made in the penalty decision and the way it was communicated for the third-round 7th hole.

The issue began on the 7th hole of the third round at Namseoul Country Club in Seongnam. When Heo’s tee shot headed toward the out-of-bounds area, he played a provisional ball. A forecaddie then picked up the original ball, making it impossible to confirm on site whether the shot had gone OB. Two rules officials and the chief referee were called to the scene but did not declare the ball out of bounds. Officials ultimately voided the original ball and instructed Heo to continue with the provisional. Heo finished the hole with a par.

The controversy carried into the final round. Heo shot a 7-under 65 in the fourth round to finish 11-under 273, tied with Song Min-hyeok and Jo Min-gyu. The tournament committee later reversed the initial decision after additional testimony indicated the third-round tee shot had landed in the OB area, and it retroactively assessed a two-stroke penalty. That adjustment dropped Heo to 9-under and a tie for third.

The association cited four pieces of testimony as the basis for the OB ruling.

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