Punahou grad Michelle Wie looked to be in great shape after shooting a round of 5-under par during Round 3 at the LPGA State Farm Classic. The 18-year-old had the outright lead for a period of time, before bogeying the 18th hole to fall into 2nd place.

However, after her round, she was informed that she was disqualified from the tournament because she failed to sign her score card after Friday's Round 2.

Wie was looking for her first career LPGA win.

From LPGA.com

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., July 19, 2008 - Michelle Wie was disqualified following the third round at the LPGA State Farm Classic for failure to sign her score card after Friday's second round, which is a violation of Rule 6-6 b. according to The Rules of Golf and confirmed by the USGA.

6-6 b. - Signing and Returning Score Card

After completion of the round, the competitor should check his score for each hole and settle any doubtful points with the Committee. He must ensure that the marker or markers have signed the score card, sign the score card himself and return it to the Committee as soon as possible.

Wie was notified following the conclusion of today's third round in order to provide her the opportunity to give an account of yesterday's second round situation. The LPGA first heard of the violation mid-morning today, but it was after Wie had begun third-round play, and action could not be further taken until she had completed 18 holes and been given the opportunity to recount the events of Friday's second round.

The 2008 LPGA Rules of Play define the scoring area as the roped area defining the boundary of the scoring tent. Supplementary rules of play stipulate that the scoring area boundary may instead be defined by a white line, which has the effect of decreasing the size of the scoring area. The white line was not deemed necessary this week and was not put in place, and as a result the boundary is the scoring tent.

Prior to signing her card, Wie had left the defined scoring area according to item No. 3 resulting in her subsequent disqualification.

3. Returning Score Card

Rule 6-6, page 31. (A player is deemed to have returned her score card to the Committee when she leaves the roped area of the scoring tent or leaves the scoring trailer).

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Michelle Wie Disqualified from Tournament

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