Lucy Li, who became the youngest player to qualify for the US Women's Open in 2014, has been warned for breaching amateur status rules by appearing in an Apple Watch ad.
The United States Golf Association announced on Thursday Li, 16, breached rule 6-2 but determined there were extenuating circumstances.
It issued her with a one-time warning and said she can retain her amateur status.
Golfers must abide by a fairly strict set of rules to retain amateur status.
Rule 6-2 states in part that a player cannot use his or her name or likeness to be used by a third party for the promotion, advertisement or sale of anything.
The USGA said in a statement: "Late last year, Ms Li was engaged by a casting agent for an acting assignment to promote the Apple Watch. At that time, the nature of her participation was not defined and she was given no indication that she would appear as a golfer.
"The USGA has had several discussions with both Apple and the Li family and has confirmed that Ms Li has neither received, nor will receive in the future, any monetary or non-monetary compensation for her appearance in the advertisement."
Li first made headlines in 2014 when she qualified for the US Women's Open at Pinehurst No. 2 at 11 years old.
Share
