From ball kicks to rule mistakes and slow-play warnings, we look back on the quirkiest and most memorable golf moments of the year.
Not only in private games but also in professional golf, rule mishaps often create exciting moments. As the year ends, we review the biggest blunders and most interesting rule breaches in pro golf during 2025. Some incidents were unprecedented, leading to varying consequences from officials.
Bud Cauley’s Accidental Ball Kick – No Penalty Thanks to Rule 9.6
On the final day of the 2025 Players Championship, amidst a lengthy thunder delay, a bizarre moment occurred: Bud Cauley accidentally stepped on fellow player Lucas Glover’s ball. Golf rules quickly clarified the situation – under Rule 9.6, ball movements caused by external forces are penalty-free, allowing Glover to replace his ball to its original spot. This incident also highlights different rules: balls moved by natural forces are generally played as they lie, but balls already placed on the green must always be replaced to their spot, regardless of what caused the movement.
Shane Lowry’s Rule Mistake at the US Open – Takes Double Bogey in Good Humor
During the second round of the 2025 US Open at Oakmont Country Club, Shane Lowry committed a rare rule violation by lifting his ball on the 14th green without marking it first—a clear breach of Rule 14.1 resulting in a penalty stroke and turning the hole into a double bogey. Despite trailing well over par and missing the cut, Lowry handled the error humorously, calling it \”one of the dumbest things\” he’d done. Fellow competitor Rory McIlroy laughed it off as well. Lowry corrected his procedure thereafter and continued fighting for every stroke.
Hannah Gregg Self-Disqualifies at Amundi German Masters
At the 2025 Amundi German Masters, US pro Hannah Gregg disqualified herself after signing an incorrect scorecard. On the 14th hole, a score of 3 was mistakenly recorded instead of the actual 4—a lower score that, under Rule 3.3b(3), leads to automatic disqualification once confirmed. Gregg noticed the error only on her way home and promptly reported it to the tour. She expressed disappointment over her oversight and concentration lapse after a tough round. Her honest admission received widespread praise on social media, with her post garnering hundreds of thousands of views.
Slow Play at the 2025 British Open: J.J. Spaun Warned
During the first round of the 2025 British Open, slow play became a focal issue: players like Marc Leishman complained about extremely slow pace—three hours for eight holes—while Rory McIlroy’s group completed just eleven holes in four hours. The challenging links course setup and changing weather were contributing factors. US Open champion J.J. Spaun, playing alongside Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele, came under scrutiny for lagging too far behind the preceding group. At the 17th hole, Spaun received an official warning after exceeding the allowed 50 seconds for his second shot. A second warning would lead to a penalty stroke, and the warning would carry