Gold Coast-based 16-year-old Choi was disqualified along with Sydney's Corie Hou and Melbourne's Inhong Lim yesterday when it was discovered they'd taken preferred lies in the rough during Thursday's first round.

Choi said they'd misunderstood what the starter said before they teed off about the local rule allowing preferred lies on the fairways because of wet conditions at the Royal Pines course.

``I'm devastated but I accept it,'' said Choi, who was equal-leading amateur along with 14-year-old Lydia Ko after her opening two-under-par 70 and hoping to earn entry to next week's Women's Australian Open.

Lim and Hou had been long odds to make the weekend cut after opening scores of 80 and 81 respectively.

Choi said the trio had been told the preferred lies were in place ``everywhere'' and took that to include the rough.

The trio had played only one hole of their second round when the rule breach was reported to Ladies European Tour operations director Cyprien Comoy.

All three were disqualified because it meant they'd signed incorrect scorecards.