"Regrettable Conclusion in Engrossing US Mid-Amateur Match Due to Caddie's Violation of Rules, Resulting in Immediate Loss"
In a thrilling 2025 US Mid-Amateur match at Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, Paul Mitzel from Seattle and Ryan O'Rear from Georgetown, Texas, battled it out, each winning seven holes via birdie. The contest, which went into sudden death, was memorable for its excitement, but ended prematurely due to an unfortunate incident.
The match was tied after regulation, and as it moved into extra holes, Mitzel had an advantage on the 19th hole. However, between the 19th and 20th hole, an inadvertent error by Mitzel's caddie occurred, which potentially cost Mitzel a chance to advance.
According to reports by Golf Channel's Brentley Romine, Mitzel's caddie rode on a cart, which was not authorized by the committee according to MLR G-6. This violation forced Mitzel to forfeit the 20th hole, deciding the match in O'Rear's favour.
The cart driver was following Mitzel and O'Rear's match to give them a lift back to the clubhouse once it was over. However, the driver was also shuttling players between the 14th and 15th holes on the desert layout, a route that the rule did not cover.
Mitzel shared that he would have taken the cart ride in a similar situation, expressing regret about the situation. O'Rear, after tying the 19th hole despite being in a green-side bunker, asked the official if he could veto the ruling, but his request was denied.
The walking rules official spotted the violation after the error was made. Kevin Gerald, a committee member, made the decision to disqualify Paul Mitzel for riding a motorcycle during the US Mid-Amateur tournament.
The match ended before either player had struck a shot on the par-4 second - the 20th hole of the day. Despite the unfortunate ending, Mitzel found the match to be incredible and memorable.
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