From ball kicks to rule mistakes and slow-play warnings – we look back at the quirkiest and most memorable golf moments of the year.
Not only in private golf but also in the professional scene, rule mishaps and violations often make for dramatic moments. At the close of 2025, we review some of the biggest blunders and most interesting rule breaches in professional golf. This year brought several remarkable scenarios, where novel situations sometimes led to varying consequences from rule officials for the players involved.
Bud Cauley Steps on Ball – No Penalty Thanks to Rule 9.6
On the final Sunday of the Players Championship 2025, alongside a long weather delay, a bizarre incident occurred: Bud Cauley accidentally stepped on the ball of his playing partner Lucas Glover. Golf rules clarified the situation immediately – according to Rule 9.6, a ball moved by external influence incurs no penalty, allowing Glover to replace his ball at its original spot. This incident highlights the differing rules: balls moved by natural forces must generally be played from their new position, but a ball already replaced on the green is always returned to its place regardless of the cause of movement.
Shane Lowry’s Rule Mistake at US Open – Takes Double Bogey in Good Spirit
During the second round of the 2025 US Open at Oakmont Country Club, Shane Lowry made a rare rules error: on the 14th green, he lifted his ball without marking it first, violating Rule 14.1. This resulted in a penalty stroke and turned the hole into a double bogey. Lowry, already well over par and eventually missing the cut, took the mistake lightly. He called it “one of the dumbest things” he’s ever done. Fellow player Rory McIlroy laughed it off. Lowry then marked his ball correctly, continued playing, and stressed that despite the mishap, he kept fighting for every shot.
Hannah Gregg Self-Disqualifies at Amundi German Masters
At the Amundi German Masters 2025, American pro Hannah Gregg self-disqualified after signing an incorrect scorecard. On the 14th hole, a 3 was mistakenly recorded instead of the actual 4—a lower score that under Rule 3.3b(3) leads to automatic disqualification once confirmed by the player. Gregg discovered the error on her way home and immediately reported it to the Tour. She expressed disappointment in her oversight and her lack of focus after a tough round. However, her honesty was widely praised on social media with her post viewed hundreds of thousands of times.
Slow Play at British Open 2025: J.J. Spaun Warned
In the first round of the 2025 British Open, slow play was in the spotlight. Players like Marc Leishman complained about extremely slow pace—three hours for eight holes—while Rory McIlroy’s group played only 11 holes in four hours. This was due partly to challenging links course setups and variable weather. US Open winner J.J. Spaun, playing with Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele, drew attention for lagging too far behind the group ahead. Spaun received an official warning on