USGA president Diana Murphy issued a statement of apology Sunday night after repeatedly getting the champion’s name wrong at the trophy ceremony of the U.S. Women’s Open.
Brittany Lang won a three-hole playoff at CordeValle Golf Club over Anna Nordqvist, who received a two-shot penalty in overtime for grounding her club in a fairway bunker. It was Lang’s first major title, but Murphy thought the trophy went to “Bethany” Lang, and called her the wrong name despite pleas from the crowd to correct her mistake.
It made for an awkward scene, and it’s one Murphy would like to have back.
“I would like to apologize to the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open champion, Brittany Lang. During the prize presentation, I mistakenly called her by the wrong name repeatedly,” Murphy said in a statement. “I have expressed my regret to Brittany personally and explained that in the heat of the moment, I became nervous and made these mistakes. I appreciate her understanding, and I am sorry that what I said may have taken away from a historic moment for a very deserving champion.”
