Disqualified Korn Ferry Pro Apologizes for ‘Damaging the Integrity of the Game’

Let’s give golfers credit: When they go afoul of the rules, they’re quick to apologize and beat themselves up for the mistake.

In the Korn Ferry Tour’s first event of 2024, The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic, competitor John Lyras was disqualified for an infraction he made on his very first hole of the tournament.

He began play on hole No. 10. On his second shot, Lyras thought he hit his ball into the water to the right of the green.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by John Lyras (@johnlyras.96)

After dropping in front of the water to continue his hole, a playing partner found the original ball, and it was in play.

Good news, right? Lyras picked up the ball he dropped and continued on his merry way. After bogeying No. 10, he had three birdies over the next nine holes. Not a bad start for his Korn Ferry Tour debut. 

But after finishing hole No. 1, a rules official caught up with the Australian and informed him that once he drops a ball, that’s the official ball in play. Going back to play the other ball is, in fact, a disqualifying offense.

After the DQ, Lyras was pretty hard on himself in a post on his Instagram:

“Incredibly disappointed, embarrassed and ashamed at my DQ today. Pure rookie mistake. To all the players and rules officials at the Korn Ferry Tour today in Exuma, I apologize for damaging the integrity of the game.” 

Imagine a football player going to these lengths for committing pass interference or being flagged for roughing the passer?

Don’t be so hard on yourself, John. There’s always next week!

Cover Image via Monday Q