Rule infringement of the PGA Tour often occurs and is often unintentional.
However, there is at least one rare official occasion on professional golf courses where cheating occurs and triggers shock waves.
The PGA Tour and other golf circuits are based on the sport’s tradition of honor and integrity, which makes any rules violate the controversy.
Several rules infringement are usually completely accidental and there is no official punishment.
In seven instances, players face criticism, controversy, and even admitting violations of the rules – intentionally or otherwise…
1. Justin Dyden
In 2023, Justin Doeden admitted to cheating and changing his scorecard during the Canadian PGA Tour.
Doeden initially signed seven, then erased and changed his score, changing the seventh of the double bogey to five points.
The change would allow him to advance, but his companions immediately reported the issue and later he quit.
Publicly admitting cheating, saying it was: “The biggest mistake in my life.”
2. Patrick Reed
The 2018 Masters champion encountered a series of events on the PGA Tour, which caused controversy before he defected to Liv Golf.
In the 2019 World of Heroes Challenge, he was fined two points for improving his lies while moving sand during practice.
Other reported incidents also questioned how he marked and moved the ball and interacted with officials.
Reed claims that all rule infringement is unintentional and ignorant.
3. GraemeMcDowell
The Northern Irish spent 20 years on the PGA Tour, winning four games, including the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach before defecting to Liv Golf in 2022.
In August 2024, McDowell was suspended by Liv Golf and fined $125,000 for violating anti-doping policies on the Saudi-backed Tour for a random doping test.
He tested positive for over-the-counter adequate drugs, including the prohibition of R-methamphetamine substances.
There was no indication of an intention to gain a competitive advantage, McDowell admitted that he should have checked the Vicks nasal congestion medication he used, and he was using a list of prohibited substances.
4. VijaySingh
Fiji’s former world No. 1 and 3 major champions often cause controversy on the PGA Tour.
In 2013, Vijay Singh admitted to the use of deer deer spray, which contains a prohibited substance.
The PGA Tour investigated after the World Anti-Doping Agency ruling changed, but the case was dropped. The tour resolved cases to be supplementary, not intentional cheating.
5. Wyndham Clark
The 2023 U.S. Open champion faces a closer look at the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational as he appears to be shooting down the ball on an embedded ball, which he reportedly seems to have pressed down the glass underneath and improved his lies.
In recent years, these moments have sparked online controversy with golf fans and have in-depth video footage to express their views.
Clark knew and denied any misconduct, and since then, the incident became a larger campaigner with simpler rules.
6. Mark O’Meara
The two-time major American champion was the PGA Tour team in the late 1990s, winning 16 event victories in the world’s top ten for nearly 200 weeks.
O’Meara was questioned for misdiagnosing his golf misdiagnosis on Green, but never issued any fines, and any intention to break the rules was denied.
This matter is still the focus of speculation, not a confirmed violation of the rules.
7. Gary Player
South Africa’s nine major championships were a golf sensation, but it was never avoided to be controversial.
He often faces criticism for alleged misfit golf, and Tom Watson once reportedly asked him out.
The player denied any misconduct and did not issue an official fine.
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