From ball kicks to rule mishaps and slow-play warnings – we look back at the quirkiest and most memorable moments of the year.
Not only in casual play do mistakes and rule violations occur on the golf course, but the professional sport often faces intriguing rule-related incidents. At the end of this year, we want to reflect on the biggest blunders and most interesting rule breaches in professional golf. In 2025, several standout scenarios arose where players faced sometimes novel situations leading to varying consequences from officials.
Bud Cauley Accidentally Steps on a Ball – No Penalty Thanks to Rule 9.6
During the final Sunday of the 2025 Players Championship, amid a lengthy thunderstorm delay, a bizarre scene unfolded: Bud Cauley accidentally stepped on the ball of his playing partner Lucas Glover. Golf rules clarified the situation immediately – according to Rule 9.6, ball movement caused by an outside influence is penalty-free, allowing Glover to replace his ball at its original spot. This incident also highlights different regulations: while balls moved by natural forces usually must be played as they lie, a ball already replaced on the green is always returned to its place regardless of what caused it to move.
Shane Lowry Commits Rare Rules Error at US Open – Takes Double Bogey with Humor
In the second round at Oakmont Country Club, Shane Lowry made a rare rules mistake: on the 14th green, he lifted his ball without marking it first, violating Rule 14.1, resulting in a penalty stroke and turning the hole into a double bogey. Lowry, already well over par and later missing the cut, took the error in stride, calling it “one of the dumbest things” he’d done. Fellow competitor Rory McIlroy laughed it off. Lowry then marked his ball properly, continued play, and stressed he fought hard despite the mishap.
Self-Disqualification by Hannah Gregg at Amundi German Masters
At the 2025 Amundi German Masters, US pro golfer Hannah Gregg disqualified herself after signing an incorrect scorecard. On the 14th hole, a 3 was mistakenly recorded instead of the actual 4 – a lower score that, per Rule 3.3b(3), automatically leads to disqualification once confirmed. Gregg discovered the error after leaving the course and immediately reported it to the tour. In a statement, she expressed disappointment over the oversight and admitted she should have been more focused after a tough round. Her transparency resonated broadly on social media, with her post garnering hundreds of thousands of views and praise for honesty.
Slow Play Issues at 2025 British Open: J.J. Spaun Warned
The first round of the 2025 British Open put slow play in the spotlight. Players like Marc Leishman complained about extremely slow play—three hours for eight holes—while Rory McIlroy’s group completed just eleven holes in four hours. Factors included challenging course setups on links courses and changing weather. US Open champion J.J. Spaun, playing alongside Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele, came under scrutiny for lagging too far behind the group ahead. At the 17th hole, Spaun received an official