Lexi Thompson Congratulates ANA Inspiration Winner Seo Yun Ryu, Thanks Fans In Instagram Post

Lexi Thomspon took to Instagram on Monday to congratulate ANA Inspiration champion Seo Yun Ryu, who won the tournament in Rancho Mirage, California on Sunday after Thompson was assessed a four-shot penalty following a viewer tip for something that happened on Saturday.

Lexi Thompson Thanks Golf Fans In Instagram Post After ANA Inspiration Loss

In the post, which she also shared on Twitter, the 22-year-old American golfer congratulated her South Korean opponent for her title victory despite Thompson having lost due to a punishment for something she did in an early round of the tournament one day prior.

“I don’t want anything that happened yesterday to take away from Seo Yun’s victory,” Thompson wrote. “The LPGA rules officials made a judgement call at the moment, and we as professional golfers must accept it, no matter how painful it is. What happened was not intentional at all, I would never do that purposely. And I hope everyone knows that.”

Thompson then thanked all of her fans, both those who attended the tournament for their cheers and overall support on the course, as well as her fans all around the world, adding how “blessed” she felt.

Let me start by congratulating Seo Yun Ryu on her playoff victory yesterday at the ANA Inspiration. She fought extremely hard and played amazing golf. I don’t want anything that happened yesterday to take away from Seo Yun’s victory. The LPGA rules officials made a judgment call at the moment, and we as professional golfers must accept it, no matter how painful it is. What happened was not intentional at all, I would never do that purposely. And I hope everyone knows that. I want to thank the amazing fans out on the course for all their support. Their cheering helped get me through those last 6 holes. Hearing all the fans cheer me on after every shot, going to every tee, truly brought tears to my eyes every time. I also want to thank the fans around the world who have reached out to me to offer their support, and for being there for me in this difficult situation. Your support means so much to me ……. I'm so blessed to have you all as my fans. I love you all and the game of golf, and I look forward to seeing all of you very soon.

A post shared by Lexi Thompson (@lexi) on Apr 3, 2017 at 11:19am PDT

Several fans commented on the post to thank Thompson for her classy statement and for being a role model for young girls and athletes everywhere, both compliments that seem very accurate.

Among the famous fans who tweeted about Thompson’s grace in defeat was singer Justin Timberlake, who wrote: “@Lexi is SO CLASSY. Handled that with grace and fight. Career defining moment.”

Thompson was confused as to why LPGA Tour rules official Sue Witters was approaching her on the way to the 13th tee during the final round of the tournament on Sunday.

When Thompson found out why she was being penalized, she was still shocked.

A television viewer’s email had notified officials to a rules violation by Thompson from the day before for a 1-inch ball placement mistake. Her three-shot lead was erased by the four-shot penalty: 2 strokes for an incorrect ball placement and 2 strokes for an incorrect scorecard.

“Is this a joke?” Thompson, a Coral Springs, Florida native, asked Witters.

After being told it wasn’t, Thompson simply said: “This is ridiculous.”

Ryu, 26, who won the U.S. Women’s Open in 2011, managed to capitalize on the break created by Thompson’s penalty. She birdied the playoff hole win the LPGA Tour’s first major of the year. Ryu won $405,000 with the victory, and Thompson went home with just over $250,000 in second place.

“I just cannot believe the situation,” Ryu said of Thompson’s penalty. “I didn’t even check the leaderboard. I thought Lexi played really, really well. I didn’t expect what happened to Lexi.

“It’s a very unfortunate situation. I didn’t expect it. I thought I’m well behind, so all I wanted to do was play my game.”

Ryu, who is now expected to become the world No. 2, finished with a bogey-free, final-round 68.

Thompson, the U.S. Olympian who won the ANA Inspiration in 2014, truly seemed incapable of believing her final results on Sunday. However, she added that she will use this as an opportunity to learn from her mistakes.

“Every day is a learning process,” said Thompson, who still stopped to sign dozens of autographs after her heartbreak. “I wasn’t expecting what happened today, but … it happens, and I’ll learn from it and hopefully do better.”

Golf fans on the course and online reacted with outrage after the LPGA announced their decision. Tiger Woods was among the famous golfers who rushed to defend Thompson on Twitter:

Most golfers commenting on Twitter didn’t disagree with the ruling, but criticized the practice of allowing TV viewers to voice their opinion on what they consider rules violations or unfair play of any kind, especially a full day afterward.

It could have gone worse for Thompson, nevertheless: if golf officials hadn’t made a rule change before last year, the American youngster would have been disqualified entirely.

Norway’s Suzann Pettersen barely missed a birdie putt on the 18th to force a three-way playoff. She finished tied for third with Inbee Park and Minjee Lee.

Article by Pablo Mena