Shane Lowry found himself at the centre of a contentious ruling during The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, narrowly avoiding a penalty after officials determined his ball had not moved during a crucial moment on the 18th hole.
The incident occurred as Lowry prepared for a short putt, with his ball appearing to oscillate slightly. Under the watchful eye of rules officials—and after a lengthy review—it was decided that the ball had not left its original position, sparing the Irishman a costly penalty stroke.
Controversy Erupts Over Ruling
The decision drew immediate comparisons to a similar incident involving Jon Rahm earlier in the tournament, where the Spaniard was penalised after his ball was deemed to have moved. The inconsistency in rulings left fans and analysts questioning the clarity of golf's rules.
"It's a tough one," Lowry admitted after his round. "I felt like it hadn't moved, but you never know with these things. I'm just relieved it went my way."
Fan Reactions Mixed
Social media erupted with debate, with some praising the officials' thoroughness while others accused the sport of inconsistency. "How can one player get penalised and another not in almost identical situations?" one fan tweeted.
Despite the drama, Lowry managed to keep his composure, finishing his round strongly to remain in contention. The ruling could prove pivotal as the tournament heads into its final rounds.
With The Open's reputation for dramatic moments, this latest controversy is sure to fuel discussions long after the final putt drops.
