Shi Hyun Ahn's Caddie Speaks on Wrong Ball Controversy

Tim Hegna was Shi Hyun Ahn's caddie at last week's CN Canadian Women's Open. Not many people were aware of that, much less what really happened on the 18th hole with Ahn and playing partner Il Mi Chung. Waggle Room spoke with Hegna via telephone this morning to get his story concerning the ball mix-up and what led to the players' disqualification.

Hegna - a self-described "tour caddie" who has carried bags on many tours - says after the group hit their drives, he went toward a ball on the right center of the fairway and laid down his bag. He went to work on getting a yardage. Ahn hit her ball to the green, which should have been a Titleist 1, but neither looked to verify it. Ahn's approach landed on the right edge. The other girls hit up, then Ahn chipped her ball to a foot. Hegna handed the putter to Ahn to tap in her one footer for par. When Ahn hands back the putter and ball, Hegna says that was then he realized his player had not played the right ball for the last three shots.

"I saw the ball and told [Ahn], 'This is a Titleist 6. It's the wrong ball. You should tell Chung.'"

Hegna said Ahn didn't acknowledge what Hegna said, though he had the expectation that she would and act on it. In fact, she said nothing at all on the green. The players finish out and go to the scoring tent. All three sign their cards neither Ahn nor Chung taking the penalty.

As they were heading back toward the clubhouse, Hegna says Ahn told him, "Be here at 6:40 tomorrow and don't say anything to anyone."

Hegna went to the hotel and had his dinner, adding, "I didn't know how to handle [what just happened] at the time." When he got back to his room, his roommates told him that he and his player had been disqualified. Hegna said he was pleased to hear the news, but said he does not know who turned them into the LPGA scoring officials. After parting from his player, he does not know if Ahn told Chung.

On Friday, Hegna spoke with LPGA officials, including LPGA Board of Directors member Michelle Ellis. He spoke with Senior Vice President of Tournament Operations and Player Services Jane Geddes yesterday, and another LPGA official.

Hegna was displeased with the LPGA response to his efforts to come forward on this issue, saying, "I told the LPGA the same [account]. What they do about it is up to them. They're trying to sweep it under the rug."

Ultimately, the LPGA Tour says that the Rules of Golf were obeyed. This incensed Hegna, who later added, "When a caddie says something to you and you nothing, what's that called? A mistake? You can't call it a mistake."

"I know the truth," Hegna said. "I know the Rules of Golf. What [Ahn] did was not right.

"[Ahn and Chung] are trying to save their careers. They put a stain on themselves."

The last contact Hegna had with Ahn was the day after the DQ. Ahn went to the caddy shack and asked for his cell phone number, saying she wanted to get a hold of him to mail a check to him. After some phone tag that day, Hegna says he has not heard back from Ahn.

Hegna says he holds no grudge against Ahn or any Korean player - particularly important in light of accusations levied against caddie/blogger Larry Smich concerning his views on Korean players. 

"I knew her for three days. I met her on Tuesday. It's nothing personal.

"If someone has a problem with Korean players, they're not very smart. Koreans are talented players and they give us jobs. I'm happy about that."

Hegna will be in Arkansas for next week's LPGA event - the only one in the month of September. He knows this whole thing could have been avoided in the first place.

"[Ahn] should've just called the penalty and played on Friday. We could've made the cut. We could've made the top ten."