From ball kicks to rule breaches and slow-play warnings, we look back at the quirkiest and most memorable moments of the year.
Not only in casual play do mishaps and rule violations happen on the golf course, but exciting incidents also occur frequently in professional golf regarding the rules. At the end of this year, we want to look back at the biggest blunders and most interesting rule infractions in professional golf. In 2025, several outstanding scenarios unfolded where players sometimes faced novel situations that occasionally led to more or less severe consequences from the rules officials.
Bud Cauley Accidentally Steps on Ball – No Penalty Thanks to Rule 9.6
On the final Sunday of the 2025 Players Championship, alongside a lengthy weather delay, a bizarre moment occurred: Bud Cauley accidentally stepped on the ball of his playing partner Lucas Glover. Golf rules clarified the mishap immediately – according to Rule 9.6, movement of the ball due to an outside influence is without penalty, so Glover was allowed to replace his ball to its original position. The incident also highlights the differing regulations: while balls moved by natural forces must usually be played from their new spot, a ball already placed on the green must always be replaced to its original mark, regardless of what caused the movement.
Shane Lowry’s Rule Mistake at US Open Taken With Humor
During the second round of the 2025 US Open at Oakmont Country Club, Shane Lowry made a rare rules mistake: on the 14th green, he lifted his ball without marking it first—a direct violation of 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 humorously, calling it ‘one of the dumbest things’ he’s ever done. Fellow competitor Rory McIlroy reacted with laughter. Lowry then marked the ball correctly, continued playing, and emphasized his determination to fight for every stroke despite the mishap.
Self-Disqualification and Slow Play Warnings Highlight Rule Issues
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 4 she actually scored, which per 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. Her honesty drew widespread praise on social media, with her post receiving hundreds of thousands of views.
Slow play was also a hot topic at the 2025 British Open, where stars like Marc Leishman complained about extremely slow rounds—three hours taken for eight holes—while Rory McIlroy’s group managed just eleven holes in four hours due to demanding course setup and changeable weather. US Open winner J.J. Spaun got an official warning on the 17th hole for taking more than 50 seconds on a shot, with additional sanctions looming if repeated. His caddie even reportedly tried defending him to the rules official, adding pressure heading into the weekend.
On the DP