The week of the biggest golf showdown is here! The Masters, hosting the top golfers, will be teeing off at the usual but iconic Augusta National. The course, having trees and shrubs’ names for each hole, looks admiring but for players it is no less than a challenge of a lifetime. The +1.9 course scoring average is proof of the difficulty. But, away from the struggles in the course, there have been many instances where the golfer has been worried about having penalties.

So, before we head towards the Masters 2025, let’s look back at some of the rules controversies that sit up in the head of the golfers.

5. Ernie Els’s attempt for his first green jacket in 2004

Back in 20024, Ernie Els was close to winning his first Masters. He was in close competition with Phil Mickelson. On the 11th ‘White Dogwood’ in round three, Els’s tee shot landed far off the fairway into the fallen pile of branches. But, unlike usual, two officials denied free relief. Considering this, he removed some of the limbs to clear the surroundings, but it resulted in a slight movement on the ball.

Normally, there is a penalty if the ball moves from the original place, but it was deemed as oscillation, so Els got spared. Despite the savior, the final result wasn’t in favor of him as he lost to Mickelson by one stroke.

4. Rory McIlroy’s aggression caused worry

Rory McIlroy, who appeared for his first Masters in 2009, was caught in the act for his aggression. The golfer on the 18th hole, ‘Holly,’ tried to save par from the bunker. But his frustration with the attempt after the shot left him kicking the sand. The result of which could have been a two-stroke penalty. However, McIlroy signed his scorecard without penalty, which raised the question.

He was later summoned to review the video and provide an explanation. The Northern Irishman’s statement of only trying to tidy the sand according to the rulebook saved him. But the result of that hole was still far away from expectation. He scored a triple bogey on the 18th in the second round.

3. Brooks Koepka & Co. caught off the grid

Brooks Koepka, who was the playing partner of the fellow American Gary Woodland, indulged in a hinting, it seems. The golfer during the first round, 15th hole in 2023, hit his second shot on par 5. But away from his shot, what caught attention was his caddied Ricky Elliott mouthing “five” to Woodland and his caddie, Brennan Little. Even Koepka, while removing his gloves, showcased all five fingers to hint.

According to Rule 10.2, a two-stroke penalty is offered if caught advising another player. But in the case of Koepka and Woodland, the Augusta National official shared the statement of no advice. It shared, “All involved were adamant that no advice was given or requested.” Safe! The golfer who finished T2 would have been much lower in the rankings if he had been penalised.

2. Roberto De Vicenzo’s “Stupid” mistake

“What a stupid I am,” this was the reaction when Roberto De Vicenzo found out about the mishap. The golfer who was aiming to clinch the green jacket in 1968 was in the ideal form. Even the celebration for his 45th birthday would have been grand. The birthday started off well on the final round as he eagled the first hole. Even scored a round of 65 despite having a bogey on the 18th.

But what happened next no one expected? His playing partner, Tommy Aaron, wrote par for his 17th hole, which was a birdie. The final score, which should have been 65, was added as 66. After his score, the golfer from the following group, Bob Goalby, who was a stroke ahead and by scoring 66 in the final round, was the leader. Though, if the correct scorecard was signed, there would be a playoff, but Vicenzo ended up losing by a stroke and missing his green jacket.

1. Tiger Woods caught in Masters drop zone

The GOAT, after his fourth Masters victory in 2005, was on a hunt for his fifth. In 2013, after his first round of 70, the second round saw a drop in his performance. One of the reasons was Tiger Woods‘s nearly perfect wedge shot on the 15th hole from 85 yards, which, after hitting the flagstick, ended on the pool, resulting in a penalty.

But the worry was his choice of dropping the ball 2 yards back from the last hit. David Eger, a former PGA Tour player and rules official, noticed his drop zone. Eger then brought the issue to the official, but Fred Ridley, the competition chair, after reviewing, cleared the violation. However, after signing the scorecard, Woods then accepted his mistake in front of the media.

With the five rules controversies, the PGA Tour has taken a hard lesson. Even for the fact, the competition on the course isn’t going to be easy, so will be the rules officials. Will there be a new controversy? We hope not. But what do you think? Share with us in the comment section below.