In golf’s high-stakes game, even the pros can stray. A mishap, a breach, and disqualifications show no one’s immune. In 2022, Hideki Matsuyama found himself on the wrong side of the rules at the Memorial Tournament—disqualified for a three-wood with too many markings on the face, a no-go in PGA Tour equipment regulations!
So, to what extent can a single golfer violate the rules? A five-time PGA Tour winner, Ben Crane, has been disqualified from an event once more, continuing a string of offences. Crane has previously been disqualified from the Albertsons Boise Open on the Web.com Tour in 2017 for carrying non-conforming clubs with data-collecting stickers. He was given an eight-stroke penalty before being disqualified.
He was also disqualified from the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in 2015 after self-reporting a violation of Rule 13-4. He realized he had touched a stone in a hazardous area. Now, again the history is repeating!
Notorious PGA Tour winner disqualified from $4 Million Event
The most recent incident occurred when Crane was eliminated in the third round of the $4 million Corales Puntacana Championship. PGA Tour Communications stated on Twitter, “Ben Crane was disqualified during the third round of the Corales Puntacana Championship for a breach of Rule 6.3c(1) that occurred on hole No. 8. Crane played a wrong ball on hole No. 8 and failed to correct the error before making a stroke to begin hole No. 9.” According to this rule, a player who plays the incorrect ball must fix it before teeing off on the following hole; else, they would be disqualified.
Ben Crane was disqualified during the third round of the Corales Puntacana Championship for a breach of Rule 6.3c(1) that occurred on hole No. 8.
Crane played a wrong ball on hole No. 8 and failed to correct the error before making a stroke to begin hole No. 9.
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) April 19, 2025
Crane’s numerous violations emphasize how crucial it is for professional golfers to strictly follow the regulations. Players are reminded that even inadvertent errors can have serious repercussions as the sport upholds its standards.
This is a developing story…
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