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Post by 18majors on Jan 5, 2019 21:57:31 GMT
USGA looking into Lucy Li's participation in Apple ad campaignLi, a 16-year-old amateur golfer who is ranked ninth in the world, was one of the subjects for a new Apple Watch ad campaign, which includes a video of Li hitting golf shots in a number of settings wearing the company's watch. “The USGA was made aware of this yesterday and we’ve reached out to Lucy’s family to learn more about her participation in these videos," the USGA said in a statement sent to GolfChannel.com. "We are at the beginning of the fact-finding stage, and it’s premature at this point to discuss more. Lucy’s family has been fully cooperative and we are thankful for the dialogue.” ![](https://www.golfchannel.com/sites/default/files/styles/lede/public/li_1920_juniorrydercup18.jpg?itok=STPow_Dr)
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Post by philknj on Jan 5, 2019 22:39:55 GMT
After watching the video ad and reading Rule 6-2, it's obvious that she is guilty as sin. The only question is what to do about it. Rule 8 is the enforcement section, which has subjectivity and wiggle room. My guess is that the USGA will brush this under the rug if they determine that no money changed hands.
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Post by HappyFan on Jan 6, 2019 18:33:03 GMT
Could you give details? I would think she would be OK if she wasn't paid, although that seems unlikely.
[EDIT]: never mind, I read the article, and you're right, she totally violated the rule. Plus she almost certainly got paid somehow or was promised future payment.
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Post by philknj on Jan 6, 2019 18:48:07 GMT
I was just going to say, "Read the article!"
BTW, she is in the field for the SS Feng junior event in February, but has not confirmed her appearance...don't know if that means anything. If she is banned from entering future USGA amateur events, I wonder if that would trickle down to eligibility for AJGA events. Would a college career then be down the drain before it starts? I guess it would make sense to declare yourself a pro ASAP under these circumstances. Hmm...this week's Hitachi Ladies Open in Taiwan still has a couple of sponsor invite openings.
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Post by jumpcut on Jan 7, 2019 14:01:30 GMT
Shackelford has a long post about it today. I agree there's no way the USGA is going to throw their star player under the bus and revoke her status. They'll come out with a statement saying they've spoken with Lucy's "confused" parents and they now understand what is -- and is not -- permissable under the rules. They may even announce an education program for players (or their guardians) where they must attend a seminar explaining the rules to avoid any confusion. In the meantime, the largest company in the world is promoting women's golf to the general public. www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2019/1/6/lucy-li-the-time-has-come-to-end-amateur-status
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Post by don on Jan 7, 2019 16:03:11 GMT
Lucy was destined for fame.
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Post by 18majors on Jan 7, 2019 16:58:58 GMT
Lucy was destined for fame. I agree, hopefully Yealimi Noh too.
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Post by HappyFan on Jan 7, 2019 17:13:12 GMT
Sorry, but if she violated the rules (and she clearly did), I can't see any other solution but forbidding her from playing any more amateur events. Anything less than that is accepting a 'two-tiered' rule system where stars get special treatment.
And, since she can't join the major pro tours until she is 18, she is going to have some time on her hands for the next few years it seems. If they decide to let her in at 16, then, once again, she is being treated in a special way, rewarded for breaking the amateur rules. I can't see how that flies, either.
What a quagmire!
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Post by 18majors on Jan 7, 2019 17:35:08 GMT
Lucy Li is like Micehelle Wie and Tiger Woods; fame followed her likes bees to honey at a very young age and it doesn't stop.
The only thing she doesn't have; she isn't 6 feet tall like Michelle.
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Post by jumpcut on Jan 7, 2019 17:42:10 GMT
Lost youth. I wish I thought of citing an NDA whenever I got in trouble at age 16.
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Post by 18majors on Jan 7, 2019 17:46:31 GMT
Lost youth. I wish I thought of citing an NDA whenever I got in trouble at age 16. As don said, she's the chosen.
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Post by SoYeonFan on Jan 7, 2019 17:58:45 GMT
Maybe I am confused as always. I thought that you could earn a certain amount of money and keep your Amateur status.
The Amateur rules are so confusing. A college player can keep his Amateur status in football and also sign with a professional baseball team. Because he is not receiving special compensation in football.
Never mind, USGA has it's own set of Rules. I remember when Arnold Palmar had lunch with Woods when he was an Amateur. It was deemed against the Rules and Woods had to pay him for the Lunch or Dinner.
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Post by don on Jan 7, 2019 23:10:34 GMT
USGA rules aside, being in an apple watch commercial is a big deal for a teenage golfer. congrats to Lucy Li on having that much Q-rating.
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Post by 18majors on Jan 8, 2019 0:30:43 GMT
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Post by SoYeonFan on Jan 8, 2019 0:57:33 GMT
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