{"id":644993,"date":"2026-05-03T11:50:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-03T11:50:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/644993\/"},"modified":"2026-05-03T11:50:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-03T11:50:10","slug":"he-got-a-mulligan-players-slam-controversial-ruling-in-korea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/644993\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cHe got a mulligan\u201d: Players slam controversial ruling in Korea"},"content":{"rendered":"

A major rules controversy at the Maekyung Open has left players furious, officials under scrutiny, and the outcome of the event overshadowed by confusion and frustration.<\/p>\n

The incident centred on former champion Inhoi Hur during the third round at Namseoul Country Club, where a disputed tee shot on the seventh hole triggered a lengthy on-course investigation and ultimately a controversial ruling.<\/p>\n

Hur\u2019s drive appeared to drift out of bounds, leading him to play a provisional ball into the fairway.\u00a0<\/p>\n

At the same time, a forecaddie, believing the original ball was OB, picked it up and passed it to another caddie.<\/p>\n

However, spectators \u2014 many supporting Hur \u2014 insisted the ball was in play, prompting a referee intervention.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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What followed was a prolonged delay as officials attempted to untangle conflicting accounts, with the group behind eventually called through.<\/p>\n

One eyewitness described the scene as \u201cvery animated,\u201d with discussions lasting around 30 minutes.<\/p>\n

The chief referee ultimately ruled there was conflicting information and applied committee procedures section 6C(6), allowing Hur to continue temporarily with his provisional ball without penalty until a final decision was reached.<\/p>\n

Critically, observers later argued the original ball should have been replaced and assessed before play continued.<\/p>\n

Hur completed the hole with his provisional, signing for a par on his way to a third-round 69, leaving him just outside the top 10.<\/p>\n

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As the story broke, reaction from players \u2014 reported by Flushing It<\/a> \u2014 was swift and highly critical.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s f***Ing bullshit. He basically got a mulligan,\u201d said one player.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Another said: \u201cObviously he got a mulligan. How is that possible?\u201d<\/p>\n

Concerns quickly escalated into accusations of unfairness and integrity issues.<\/p>\n

One player said: \u201cWhat kind of ruling is that? The guy keeping his score just signed his card? It\u2019s just an integrity situation, as a player he should know it\u2019s a bad ruling, but he just listened to the officials because it\u2019s in his favour. \u201cHe should be disqualified.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Despite the controversy, Hur surged into contention with a bogey-free final round 64, briefly posting clubhouse leader and putting himself into a potential three-way playoff.<\/p>\n

But just as he was signing autographs and preparing for a potential return to the 18th tee, the Korean Golf Association rules team delivered a final verdict.<\/p>\n

His original ball was ruled out of bounds, triggering a retrospective two-shot penalty. His third-round 69 was amended to 71, dropping him to tied third and costing him a place in the playoff by two shots.<\/p>\n

The decision sparked further confrontation between officials and Hur\u2019s support group on-site.<\/p>\n

Hur\u2019s wife later took to Instagram to question the ruling and demand clarity, including video evidence.<\/p>\n

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One translated message read: \u201cI won\u2019t accept it. Are they just brushing over the fact the competition official lied?\u201d<\/p>\n

Amid the fallout, Minhyuk Song went on to win the playoff against Mingyu Cho, though the tournament will likely be remembered more for its rules controversy than its champion.<\/p>\n

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