'Controversial Golf Rule'... 'Because of Hughes Marshal'

Farmers Insurance Open First Day Ogu Play

A mistake by the marshal cost him dearly.

This is the story of Mackenzie Hughes (Canada, photo). Last January, during the first round of the PGA Tour Farmers Insurance Open (total prize money $8.4 million) held at Torrey Pines North Course (par 72) in San Diego, California, a 'mishap' occurred on the 9th hole (par 5).

Hughes aimed for the green with his second shot, but the ball landed in the left rough. The marshal marked the ball's position, and Hughes took his third shot from there. When he reached the green and was about to mark his ball, he realized it was not his own.

This is a violation of golf rule 6.3c. A player who plays a wrong ball receives a two-stroke penalty. He must return to the original spot and play again. Hughes missed advancing to the third round by one stroke. Without the wrong ball play, he would have been in a position to earn prize money.

Hughes did not blame the marshal. He said, "This is golf, and I learned a lot," adding, "It is the player's responsibility to check the ball. I hope to come back next year."

Hughes joined the PGA Tour in 2017 after playing on the PGA Tour Canada in 2013 and the Korn Ferry Tour (second-tier) in 2014. He earned his first career win at the 2017 RSM Classic and secured his second victory at the Sanders Farms Championship in October last year, which is part of the 2022/2023 season. He is currently ranked 54th in the world, and his prize money ranking this season is 12th ($1,928,533).