Li’s mother, Amy, said that her daughter and the family did not receive any compensation for the videoGETTY IMAGES
Golfer Lucy Li’s appearance in a recent Apple ad has "raised questions" about the 16-year-old's amateur status, according to Kevin Casey of GOLFWEEK. Li was "featured in an Apple Watch advertisement" last week, and the USGA is now "looking into the matter." It is "unclear at the moment if Li received any financial compensation" (GOLFWEEK.com, 1/5). GOLF DIGEST's Ryan Herrington noted in the 15-second video, Li is "shown swinging a golf club with 'Lucy L.' superimposed over her body." The video shows her "practicing golf and hanging out with friends while wearing the Apple Watch, and it ends with a close-up on her face and the words 'Close Your Rings,' which is part of an Apple marketing slogan." Li said that she had "signed a non-disclosure agreement with Apple that prohibited her from discussing the video." Li’s mother, Amy, said that her daughter and the family "did not receive any compensation for being in the video" (GOLFDIGEST.com, 1/5). Li is "ranked ninth in the world" among amateur women (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 1/5).
COULD BE A POSITIVE: Golf Channel’s Jaime Diaz said Li is a "perfect symbol for Apple in a way." Diaz said as long as Li is "not being compensated with money ... it just seems like it fits and it doesn't really offend me.” Golf Channel’s Matt Adams said, “A massive global company to the scale of Apple has chosen golf as a vehicle to cut across these digital waves and generations, and to try to connect and sell products. From a game standpoint and a broader perspective, I think it is very positive for the game of golf" (“Morning Drive,” Golf Channel, 1/6). Golf Channel's Gary Williams: "This story is much bigger than just [Li] and it's murky on a lot of levels." Geoff Shackelford said this case will "put the USGA in a very difficult position to defend a lot of different things that have happened in our sport but then also in sports at large." Shackelford: "Amateur golfers now are wearing corporate logos, they're allowed to receive free clothes, free scripted outfits, free clubs. ... It just blurs the line between what a professional is and what an amateur is. There's no blurry line here" (“Morning Drive,” Golf Channel, 1/7).
