LATEST NEWS: Scottie Scheffler FACES SHOCKING 10-STROKE PENALTY at The Open Championship 2025 – Golf World Explodes Over “Trick” That Gained Him the Lead

In a stunning development that has rocked the golf world, Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1 and 2025 favorite to win The Open Championship, has been hit with a massive 10-stroke penalty following a controversial rules violation that officials are calling “a deliberate manipulation of course conditions.”

The drama unfolded at Royal Troon on Saturday afternoon, where Scheffler was dominating the leaderboard with what many called a “near-flawless performance.” But behind the scenes, murmurs were growing about an unusual tactic Scheffler appeared to use throughout the round — one that ultimately triggered a formal investigation.

According to tournament officials, Scheffler was found to have subtly altered the lie of his ball on multiple occasions using a “camouflaged club press” technique, a controversial method long discussed in golf circles but rarely proven. High-resolution drone footage and tee box cameras reportedly captured the subtle infraction.

“We have concluded that Mr. Scheffler violated Rule 8.1b on multiple occasions, gaining a substantial advantage in the process,” said R&A chief referee Simon Clarke. “As such, a 10-stroke penalty has been assessed retroactively to his third-round score.”

The fallout was immediate.

Fans at Royal Troon booed as the announcement was made public on the giant leaderboard screens. Online, the golf community exploded with reactions ranging from disbelief to outrage. On social media, hashtags like #SchefflerScandal and #GolfGate2025 began trending within minutes.

Scheffler, visibly shaken, issued a brief statement after the ruling:

“I respect the game and the rules. I will accept the committee’s decision and learn from this.”

However, some fans aren’t convinced it was an accident — with speculation swirling that Scheffler may have used the trick repeatedly in earlier tournaments.

Golf legends like Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods have not yet publicly commented, but insiders say the PGA Tour is expected to launch its own internal review into the incident and whether further disciplinary action is warranted.

With the 10-stroke penalty, Scheffler drops from 1st to 17th place, effectively removing him from title contention.

This may go down as one of the most shocking rule infractions in Open Championship history, casting a dark shadow over what had been a highly anticipated and tightly contested tournament.

Stay tuned for developing coverage as the story unfolds and more reactions pour in from the world of professional golf.