The NCAA canceled the third round of the 2023 Division III Women’s Golf Championship on Thursday after one of the pin placements was deemed “unplayable.” And when you watch a collection of videos that went viral on Golf Twitter, you’ll understand why.
Things got silly on the 308-yard, par-4 sixth at Mission Inn and Resort’s El Campeon Course in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla. That’s where coaches told GolfChannel.com the hole was cut on a 5-percent slope on the right side of the green, resulting in a hole location that was too severe.
There were shades of Shinnecock’s 16th during the 2004 U.S. Open as tournament officials tried watering around the hole during play, but golfers continued to have missed putts roll all the way back to them. The majority of the 151-player field had finished the weather-delayed round when the NCAA Division III women’s golf committee decided to wipe out the results and shorten the tournament to 54 holes.
“Throughout Round 3 on Thursday, and despite efforts to improve conditions, it became apparent that the pin placement on hole No. 6 . . . was unplayable,” the committee said in statement provided to GolfChannel.com. “After play was suspended due to lightning late Thursday afternoon, the committee analyzed numerous different options on how to complete the tournament in the time allotted.”
As a result, tournament scores reverted to standings through 36 holes. And the cut was made based off that with 14 of 29 teams being eliminated. The committee decided to allow an additional six individuals to advance to Friday’s third and final round.
Before the round was canceled, the hole was playing more than 1.5 shots over par. “It was ridiculous,” one coach told GolfChannel.com.
Check out this tweet from Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine, which compiles several videos showing just how severe the pin was:
And here are a few more videos going around Golf Twitter of the unfortunate situation:
The NCAA, not the course, is responsible for setting up the pins for each round. According to Sports Illustrated’s Gabby Herzig, the NCAA was trying to avoid “old cup marks.”
This is the eighth time the event has been held at Mission Hill. We’re pretty sure it’s the last time the pin will be cut there if the tournament comes back.