Lydia Ko's Par Save at AIG Women's Open Underscores Golf Wrong‑Ball Rules

New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko avoided a potential disaster on the seventh hole of the 2026 AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St. Annes after her ball bounced into a spectator’s coat. After calling an official, the ball was marked and Ko was allowed to continue, ultimately making par and staying in contention.

The incident illustrates the sport’s “wrong‑ball” rule (Rule 6.3c). Under the Rules of Golf, playing a ball that is not the player’s ball in play – including a stray ball or a ball that has been lost or out of bounds – incurs a two‑stroke penalty in stroke play and requires the player to correct the mistake before teeing off on the next hole, or face disqualification. Ko’s situation was resolved by marking the ball’s position and proceeding without penalty, as the ball remained her own and had not been lost.

The episode highlights how golfers must be aware of both the technical rules and on‑course etiquette when unexpected mishaps occur.