Mitsuka withdraws from 11 events after fine for slow play

Japanese golfer Yuko Mitsuka has pulled out of 11 tournaments after being handed a record fine for slow play.

The Ladies Professional Golfer's Association of Japan fined the 25-year-old Mitsuka $21,500 on Tuesday after she quit midway through the first round of the World Ladies Championship last week in protest of a two-shot penalty she drew for slow play.

Mitsuka announced Wednesday she will withdraw from eight domestic tournaments and three overseas events.

"This will be a lesson to other golfers,'' JLPGA chief Hisako Higuchi said in Wednesday editions of the Nikkan Sports newspaper. "She has to take responsibility for her actions.''