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David Puig’s costly final-hole mistake highlights golf’s unforgiving rulebook
A minor lapse in the bunker turned Spain’s rising star’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic finish from a podium spot into a frustrating lesson in the game’s unforgiving rules, as he took a hefty financial hit
- PUBLISHED: Mon 26 Jan 2026, 7:45 PM
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- Nick Tarratt, Guest Golf Writer
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If you thought the final moments of the HERO Dubai Desert Classic were just a formality with Patrick Reed cruising to victory, think again. For Spain’s David Puig, what should have been a strong finish turned into a harsh reminder of just how tricky golf’s rulebook can be, and how expensive a momentary misstep can get.
Puig, just 24, was in the final pairing on the 72nd hole at the Majlis Course alongside Reed, with the crowd buzzing and a third-place finish seemingly in the bag. But then came the back bunker on his approach to the green, and with it, a two-stroke penalty that would cost him not only a higher finish but nearly $275,000!
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The trouble? Puig had unknowingly grounded his club while playing his third shot. Under Rule 12.2b of the Rules of Golf, that’s a breach. Spotted by an eagle-eyed official watching on TV, the penalty turned what would have been a closing par five into a double bogey seven, and his final-round 73 into a three-over 75. What had been a tie for third became a three-way tie for seventh.
Puig, who had just a moment earlier been celebrating another strong showing following his recent Australian PGA Championship win in November, accepted the ruling as soon as officials showed him the video in the Scorers Area.
Unaware, yet unflinching
He wasn’t aware he had grounded his club, but like a true professional, he took it on the chin.
It’s a cruel twist for a player who is rapidly making a name for himself. Puig is a long hitter with a sharp eye for the game and has already made waves on the LIV Golf tour, while also supporting the DP World Tour wherever he can. Starting the week 99th in the Official World Golf Ranking, he jumped to 94th, though without that penalty, he could have climbed even further.
And the money? That final-hole slip cost him a significant payday. Without the penalty, Puig would have walked away with $508,500; instead, he pocketed $234,000. That’s golf’s rulebook: precise, unforgiving, and occasionally costly.
Interestingly, the Dubai Desert Classic’s OWGR Field Rating was 179.42, giving Reed 30.86 points, whereas The American Express on the PGA Tour, won by Scottie Scheffler, had a Field Rating of 379.26, with the winner collecting 65.23 points.
Rankings not always straightforward
Fans in Dubai were surprised that even with big names like Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood in the field, the ranking points were comparatively lower. I’m sure this is a discussion the golf world will return to, because rankings, like rules, can sometimes be as complex as the game itself.
For David Puig, the week was a bittersweet reminder: golf can reward talent spectacularly, but it can just as quickly remind you that a tiny lapse can cost dearly. And that, in a nutshell, is why the game keeps everyone on their toes.
