Ten million dollars will buy a great deal but as Michelle Wie, the game's newest multi-millionaire, discovered at the end of her first tournament as a professional, it will not buy immunity from the rules. Two hours after finishing fourth at the Samsung World Championship the 16-year-old American was sensationally disqualified for taking an incorrect drop at the seventh hole during her third round.

Officials took the decision after being alerted by Michael Bamberger, a journalist with Sports Illustrated, who had watched the teenager take a penalty drop after hitting her ball into a bush the previous day and was concerned she had played her next shot from a position nearer the hole, contrary to the rules. After video tape evidence was deemed inconclusive, Wie and her caddie, Greg Johnston, were taken to the scene of the incident, where they were asked to describe their actions. It was only after officials measured the distance between the hole and the spot where Wie's ball originally lay and then where she dropped it that she was adjudged to have been guilty of an infringement.

"I would not have been able to make the ruling based on the video tape," said LPGA official Robert Smith. "The rules of golf are based on facts. They had to tell us where it (the ball) was. The fact is, it was closer to the hole by 12 to 15 inches."

For her part, Wie but did not argue the outcome. An incorrect drop merits a further two-shot penalty and, as she did not record this further penalty on the scorecard she signed after her round on Saturday, she was automatically disqualified. The decision cost Wie the $53,126 she would have received for finishing fourth, her first pay cheque as a professional.

Not that the teenager needs the money after signing sponsorship deals worth $10 million. Even if she did, it would scarcely have been the point. As her emotional reaction to the furore made clear, she understands that personal integrity is everything in the world of professional golf. "I am really sad, but rules are rules and I respect them," she said, fighting back tears.

"Greg said 'make sure you don't drop nearer the hole' and I though it looked fine. I don't feel like I cheated. I've learned a great lesson," she said. "From now on, I'll call a rules official no matter where it is, whether it is three inches or 100 yards."

Johnston had an angry altercation with the man from Sports Illustrated over his failure to alert officials about his concerns before Wie had signed her scorecard on Saturday. If he had done so, she would not have been disqualified. Bamberger said he had watched Wie play the hole, then paced off the disputed distances afterwards. "I thought 'let's see what she has to say' at the after-round press conference. I hoped she would convince me."

Clearly, she did not. After sleeping on it overnight, the journalist voiced his concerns to officials.

The furore surrounding Wie's disqualification meant that Annika Sorenstam's eight-shot victory over the rest of the field was entirely overlooked. The win was the Swede's ninth of the year, and was her fifth in the Samsung World Championship - making her only the second player in history to win the event five times, alongside Mickey Wright. It also saw her top the LPGA tour's money list for the eighth successive year.

"It was very satisfying. It was a big week for many reasons," she said afterwards. Asked if she also wanted to send out a message to those who believe that Wie is now the biggest name in women's golf, she said: "I don't feel I need to make a statement, but I do love a challenge."

Guardian Service