From ball kicks to rule blunders and slow play warnings – we look back at the most curious and memorable moments of the year.
Not only in casual play do mishaps and rule violations occur on the golf course, but also in professional golf the rules often bring exciting moments. At the end of 2025, we look back at the biggest blunders and most interesting rule infractions in professional golf. Throughout 2025, several outstanding scenarios emerged where players encountered sometimes novel situations that led to varying degrees of consequences by the rules officials.
Bud Cauley’s Ball Kick Incident at The Players Championship
On the final Sunday of The Players Championship 2025, amidst a long thunderstorm delay, an unusual incident occurred: Bud Cauley accidentally kicked the ball of his playing partner Lucas Glover. According to golf rule 9.6, movement of a ball caused by an external influence is not penalized. Therefore, Glover was allowed to replace his ball to its original position. This incident also highlights the different rulings: balls moved by natural forces often must be played as they lie, but a ball already placed on the green is always replaced to its original spot, regardless of the cause of movement.
Shane Lowry’s Rule Blunder at the US Open
During the second round of the 2025 US Open at Oakmont Country Club, Shane Lowry committed a rare rules mistake by lifting his ball on the 14th green without marking it first, violating rule 14.1. This resulted in a penalty stroke turning the hole into a double bogey. Despite being well over par and missing the cut, Lowry took the error humorously, calling it “one of the dumbest things” he’d ever done. Fellow competitor Rory McIlroy laughed it off as well. Lowry then marked his ball correctly and continued to compete vigorously.
Self-Disqualification and Slow Play Warnings in 2025
At the Amundi German Masters 2025, US pro Hannah Gregg disqualified herself after signing an incorrect scorecard that understated her score on the 14th hole. According to rule 3.3b(3), that resulted in automatic disqualification. Gregg noticed the mistake after leaving and promptly informed the tour, earning praise for her honesty on social media.
Slow play also came into focus in the first round of the British Open 2025. Players like Marc Leishman complained about extremely slow pace, with rounds taking several hours due to challenging course setups and variable weather. US Open winner J.J. Spaun was officially warned for exceeding the allowed 50 seconds for his second shot at the 17th hole. A second warning would have resulted in a penalty stroke, adding pressure during the cut fight. Jon Rahm’s caddie even reportedly defended Spaun to the rules officials.
On the DP World Tour, Marcel Siem faced disqualification at the BMW PGA Championship 2025 after playing a provisional ball when his original ball was found in a penalty area, violating rule 18.3c(3). He signed his scorecard without correcting the error, leading to his disqualification. Siem stated the mistake was unintentional and promised