From ball kicks and rule breaches to slow-play warnings – we look back at the quirkiest and most memorable golf moments of the year.
Not only in amateur golf do errors and rule violations occur, but professionally the rules often lead to dramatic moments. As 2025 draws to a close, we review the biggest blunders and most intriguing infractions on the pro golf tours. This year featured notable unique scenarios that sometimes resulted in significant consequences from officials.
Bud Cauley Accidentally Kicks Ball – No Penalty Thanks to Rule 9.6
On the final Sunday of the 2025 Players Championship, besides a lengthy weather delay, a bizarre incident occurred when Bud Cauley accidentally kicked the ball of his playing partner Lucas Glover. Golf Rule 9.6 immediately clarified that a ball moved by an outside influence incurs no penalty, allowing Glover to replace his ball to its original position. This incident highlights the nuances in rules: balls displaced by natural forces must generally be played from their new position, while a ball already marked and replaced on the green is always replaced to its spot regardless of movement cause.
Shane Lowry Commits Rules Error at US Open – Takes Double Bogey with Humor
During the second round at the 2025 US Open in Oakmont, Shane Lowry made a rare mistake by lifting his ball on the 14th green without marking it first, violating Rule 14.1, resulting in a one-stroke penalty turning the hole into a double bogey. Already far over par and missing the cut, Lowry took the error in stride, calling it \”one of the dumbest things\” he has done. Fellow competitor Rory McIlroy reacted with laughter. Lowry then marked and played correctly, continuing to fight for every stroke despite the mishap.
Hannah Gregg Self-Disqualifies at Amundi German Masters
At the 2025 Amundi German Masters, US pro golfer Hannah Gregg self-disqualified after signing an incorrect scorecard. On the 14th hole, a 3 was mistakenly recorded instead of the actual 4, an under-stated score that under Rule 3.3b(3) automatically leads to disqualification once confirmed. Gregg discovered the error on her way home and promptly notified the tour. In a statement, she expressed disappointment over the oversight but earned widespread praise on social media for her honesty, with her post viewed hundreds of thousands of times.
Slow Play at 2025 British Open: J.J. Spaun Warned
In the first round of the 2025 British Open, slow play became a focus as players like Marc Leishman complained about extremely slow pacing—taking 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 with Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele, came under scrutiny for excessive gap to the preceding group. Spaun received an official warning on the 17th hole for exceeding the 50-second limit for his second shot. A second warning would result in a penalty stroke and carry over to the next round,