**Shane Lowry Penalized at The Open 2025 Amid Controversy Over Ball Movement**
Shane Lowry, the 2019 Champion Golfer of the Year at Royal Portrush, found himself at the center of controversy during the second round of the 2025 Open Championship. While taking a practice swing on the 11th hole, Lowry was deemed to have caused his ball to move — a ruling that resulted in a **two-stroke penalty** and dropped his score from 2-under to even par.
For me this is very harsh and the rule needs a re think. The spirit of the rule should be what’s important. A penalty should only be applied if the ball can be seen moving with the naked eye 🤷♂️ https://t.co/f9Tc6aNbNI
— Paul McGinley (@mcginleygolf) July 18, 2025
Lowry expressed confidence that he had not broken any rules, saying, *“I definitely was looking down towards the ball… and I didn’t see it move.”* However, R\&A officials approached him on the 15th hole to inform him they were reviewing footage and would consult with him again after the round. Lowry admitted he was concerned about the implications, noting, *“Obviously, then I feel like I’m on the cut mark then, which is not very nice.”*
Following the round, despite reviewing the video with officials, Lowry felt the decision had already been made. *“I think they had it in their heads the ball moved, I caused it to move, it’s a two-shot penalty,”* he said. Reluctantly, he accepted the ruling to avoid any perception of impropriety, acknowledging the potential damage of being accused of cheating.
The penalty, and the way it was handled, drew criticism from within the golf community. Prominent European figure and golf analyst **Paul McGinley** called the ruling *“very harsh,”* suggesting that penalties should only apply when ball movement is clearly visible to the naked eye.
**Scottie Scheffler**, the current world No. 1 and playing partner that day, supported Lowry’s version of events. Scheffler stated, *“It’s hard to tell… When you’re zooming in on his golf ball in the rough, it’s hard to determine if it moved or if the zoom created that illusion.”* He emphasized that golf relies on player integrity and called the situation *“tough”* for Lowry, adding that he handled it admirably.
While the penalty stands, the incident sparked debate about the application of video technology in golf and whether the spirit of the rules is being upheld. Lowry, despite frustration, chose to move forward quietly, avoiding further scrutiny.
The controversy has reignited conversations about fairness, transparency, and the emotional burden on players during crucial tournament moments. Whether this leads to a change in how such rulings are assessed remains to be seen.