Golf loves its strange stories, but few moments this season hit as hard as Hyo Joo Kim’s chip shot landing right on a ball marker. The nine-time LPGA Tour winner found herself laughing on her knees after the ball struck the coin and bounced ten feet away. This wasn’t a bad luck story or a rule violation. It was just one of those rare, unplanned moments that makes the game so wild.
The Rules Got It Right
Some fans might think hitting a marker is a disaster, but the rulebook says otherwise. According to Yahoo, Rule 13.1d is clear: “There is no penalty if any player (including you) accidentally moves your ball or ball-marker on the putting green.” Kim had to replace her ball on the original spot, and that was it. No penalty strokes, no drama, just a quick fix and a laugh. The game is tough enough without punishing players for physics.
During the LOTTE Championship, a chip shot landed directly on the marker on the green thanks to Kim. The coin bounced in the air and rolled some 10-feet before coming to rest. It happened on her second round, and she couldn’t believe what she saw. The incident showed how even the best players can’t control every bounce on a windy day.
Windy Conditions Test Everyone
The wind at Hoakalei Country Club has been a real test for the whole field. A Lim Kim, who took the first-round lead, noted the difficulty. She said, “Trajectory for control and then putting (are) really important (on) this course because (it’s) very windy.” She also mentioned the rain was “back and forth, back and forth, so tough conditions.”
Despite the chaos on the green, Kim finished two-under for the tournament. She hit 14 of 14 fairways in that second round, which is a massive stat to note. Yet, she missed the cut by a single stroke. It’s a cruel reminder that perfect driving doesn’t always mean you make the weekend. She has six top 10s in 2026 and two wins, so missing the cut here stings.
These weird moments stick in our minds longer than a clean win sometimes. While laughing, Kim dropped to her knees as the ball ended up a few feet from the flag. It was a human moment in a sport that often feels too serious. The ruling was fair, the play was tough, and the result was a missed cut by one stroke.
As Per Field Level Media, the wind made scoring hard for everyone. Jeeno Thitikul and Polly Mack shared the second-round lead with bogey-free rounds of 65.
