During the third round of the 2026 US Women’s Open at Riviera, England’s Lottie Woad was handed a two-stroke penalty for building a stance in a bunker — a ruling that turned a bogey into a triple bogey. Here’s exactly what happened and why the rule is stricter than most golfers realise.
Woad’s approach at the par-4 ninth plugged into the steep face of a greenside bunker at Riviera Country Club. Getting a foothold on the upslope proved nearly impossible. She slid back on her first attempt to play the shot, pushed repeatedly into the sand with her back foot trying to find something solid to stand on, and at one point her caddie braced her from behind.
An official was called and warned them to be careful about building a stance. After a seven-minute conference, a request for relief over a bunker liner was denied. Woad eventually played out in two attempts and walked off the hole believing she had made bogey five. Two holes later, the score became a triple-bogey seven.
What the Rule Says
Rule 8.1a requires the course to be played as you find it. You are allowed to place your feet firmly when taking a stance — that is expected and permitted. You are not permitted to alter the ground in a way that improves your area of intended stance. Pushing sand down on the side of a bunker face to create a level area to stand on is listed explicitly under the rule as a breach. The penalty is two strokes in stroke play. Crucially, once the improvement has been made, the breach has occurred — attempting to restore the ground does not remove the penalty.
What This Means in Practice
In a flat bunker, the line between placing your feet firmly and building a stance is relatively clear. On a steep upslope with a plugged lie — where simply standing is a challenge — that line is genuinely difficult to stay on the right side of. If you’re in a similar position, be careful about pressing your feet sideways into the sand face rather than simply settling downward.
Rule Reference
Rule 8.1a — Course Played as It Is Found, Rules of Golf 2023 (R&A/USGA)
