Golfers faced challenging conditions at Oakmont Country Club during the US Open, where few were able to break par. Shane Lowry, who previously held the 54-hole lead when the tournament was last played there in 2016, endured a difficult start with his focus tested severely. By the end of his opening round, Lowry was nine-over-par and his troubles continued into the second round.

Lowry’s second round began with three bogeys and a double bogey over his first four holes, leaving him 14-over-par overall. Despite regaining some composure later in the round, his scorecard still reflected the difficulty of the course and conditions that day.

The Costly Rules Mistake on the 14th Hole

On the par-4 14th hole, a moment captured the frustrating nature of Lowry’s week. Playing alongside Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose, Lowry chipped his third shot from the fringe and then picked up his golf ball without first marking its position—a breach of Rule 14.1a. This rule mandates that a player must mark the spot of the ball before lifting it from the green, either by placing a ball-marker behind or beside the ball or by holding a club on the ground in that area.

After realizing the mistake, Lowry quietly replaced the ball on the green, sharing a lighthearted moment with his Ryder Cup teammates Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose despite the mishap.

Understanding the Official Golf Rule and Penalty

The rules clearly state that lifting a ball without marking its spot, improperly marking the spot, or making a stroke with a ball-marker left in place results in a penalty of one stroke. In Lowry’s case, this infraction changed his score on the hole from a bogey five to a double bogey six.

“If the player lifts the ball without marking its spot, marks its spot in a wrong way or makes a stroke with a ball-marker left in place, the player gets one penalty stroke.”

—Official Golf Rule 14.1a

The Impact on Lowry’s Tournament and Broad Context

This rules blunder added an unfortunate penalty to an already difficult tournament for Lowry at Oakmont. Competing on a course known for its demanding layout, this incident underscored the importance of strict adherence to the rules under pressure in major championships. Although the moment was embarrassing, Lowry’s reaction alongside his teammates showed his ability to find humor amid frustration.

As the US Open continued, the penalty served as a reminder of how even highly skilled professionals like Lowry can be caught out by the exacting standards of golf’s rulebook in high-stress scenarios.