From ball kicks to rule errors and slow-play warnings – we revisit the quirkiest and most memorable golf moments of 2025.
Mistakes and rule breaches don’t only happen in amateur golf; in the professional arena, the rules can create some dramatic and fascinating moments. As 2025 ends, we look back at the biggest blunders and intriguing rule violations in pro golf. Several notable incidents this year involved novel situations leading to various consequences from officials.
Bud Cauley’s Accidental Ball Kick at The Players Championship
On the final Sunday of the 2025 Players Championship, following a lengthy weather delay, Bud Cauley accidentally kicked the ball of his playing partner, Lucas Glover. According to Rule 9.6, a ball moved by an outside influence is played without penalty, allowing Glover to replace the ball to its original position. This incident highlighted the nuances of golf rules: balls moved by natural forces must usually be played as they lie, but balls already on the green that move are replaced regardless of cause.
Shane Lowry’s Rule Error at the 2025 US Open
During the second round at Oakmont Country Club, Shane Lowry committed a rare rule breach by lifting his ball on the 14th green without marking it first, violating Rule 14.1 and incurring a penalty stroke that converted the hole into a double bogey. Despite missing the cut by a large margin, Lowry took the mistake with humor, calling it one of the dumbest things he’s done. Fellow competitor Rory McIlroy also chuckled. Lowry marked the ball properly thereafter and continued to fight every shot.
Self-Disqualification by Hannah Gregg at Amundi German Masters
American pro Hannah Gregg disqualified herself at the 2025 Amundi German Masters after signing an incorrect scorecard with a lower score recorded on hole 14 than she actually made, triggering automatic disqualification under Rule 3.3b(3). She discovered the error after leaving the course and promptly reported it to the tour. Gregg expressed disappointment over her oversight but was widely praised on social media for her honesty, with her post gaining hundreds of thousands of views.
Slow Play Warnings at the 2025 British Open
The first round of the 2025 British Open put the spotlight on the persistent slow-play issue. Players such as Marc Leishman complained of extremely slow paces, taking three hours for just eight holes, while Rory McIlroy’s group managed only eleven holes in four hours due to challenging course setups and varying weather. US Open champion J.J. Spaun, playing with Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele, was closely monitored for lagging behind the preceding group. Spaun received an official warning on the 17th hole for exceeding the allowed 50 seconds to make his second shot. A second warning would result in a penalty stroke, with the warning carrying over to the next round, increasing pressure as the cut approached. Reports noted Rahm’s caddie even defended Spaun to officials.
Marcel Siem Disqualified on DP World Tour
On the DP World Tour, Marcel Siem faced disappointment when