Nelly Korda Causes a Fuse as She Accuses Charley Hull of Cheating with a Microchip at Kroger Queen City Championship

 

CINCINNATI, OH – The normally serene fairways of Kenwood Country Club were transformed into a cauldron of high-stakes drama and scandal on Saturday, as the Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G was rocked by an extraordinary allegation from World Number One Nelly Korda, who publicly accused fellow tour star and Solheim Cup teammate Charley Hull of using illicit technology to gain an unfair advantage.

The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the world of professional golf, allegedly occurred during the critical closing stages of the third round. According to multiple sources within the players’ and officials’ circle, Korda approached a rules official on the 16th green, gesturing vehemently towards Hull and alleging that the Englishwoman was utilizing a concealed microchip device to illegally read greens.

The specific nature of the alleged device remains unclear, but the accusation suggests a miniaturized piece of technology, potentially embedded in a glove, hat, or even a club, capable of providing precise slope, break, and stimpmeter readings—data strictly prohibited under Rule 4.3 of the Rules of Golf, which governs the use of equipment and electronic devices.

The confrontation is said to have been sparked by a series of improbably holed putts from Hull, who had been mounting a fierce charge up the leaderboard. Witnesses described a tense, hushed exchange between Korda, Hull, and the officials, a stark contrast to the usual collegial atmosphere on the LPGA Tour. Tournament officials were forced to intervene, temporarily suspending play for the group while the matter was assessed.

Hull, 28, was visibly stunned and frustrated by the allegation. She was reportedly asked to surrender her equipment for immediate inspection by the LPGA’s competition committee. While the full findings of that inspection have not been officially released, an initial statement from the Tour confirmed that “no equipment breaches were discovered” during an on-course examination.

“This is absolutely ridiculous,” Hull was overheard saying to her caddie on the way to the scoring tent. “I’ve never cheated a day in my life.”

The fallout was immediate and divisive. Korda, America’s golden girl and the dominant force in women’s golf, now finds herself in an unfamiliar and controversial position. Her supporters point to her status as a fierce competitor who would not make such a grave accusation lightly. They suggest her actions were those of a player protecting the integrity of the sport, willing to risk personal backlash to confront a potential violation.

Conversely, critics argue that the public nature of the accusation, without irrefutable proof, constitutes a severe breach of etiquette and a potentially career-defining attack on Hull’s character. Social media has erupted into a firestorm, with the golf world split into fervent camps supporting each player. The hashtags #IStandWithNelly and #IStandWithCharley began trending worldwide within hours.

The LPGA Tour has issued a brief holding statement: “We are aware of the situation that occurred during the third round of the Kroger Queen City Championship. The matter is under full review in accordance with our regulations. We will have no further comment until that review is complete.”

For Hull, the accusation casts a dark shadow over what had been a spectacular round of golf. For Korda, it risks tarnishing a reputation built on excellence and sportsmanship. The allegation of “cheating with a microchip” strikes at the very heart of golf’s cherished values of honesty and self-policing.

As the tournament heads into its final round, the focus has irrevocably shifted from birdies and bogeys to suspicion and scandal. The pairing for Sunday’s play, yet to be announced by officials, is now the most anticipated decision of the weekend. Will Korda and Hull be forced to play alongside one another in what would undoubtedly be the most intensely scrutinized and emotionally charged grouping in recent LPGA history?

Regardless of the official outcome of the investigation, the Kroger Queen City Championship will be remembered not for its champion, but for the day the world’s best player accused a rival of a high-tech betrayal, leaving the sport to grapple with questions of technology, trust, and the immense pressure that exists at its highest level.