Issue No. 3 · Sunday 1 November 2026

Koepka’s not naming names

We’ve made it to November. Only seven more months until we can enjoy sunlight and warmth again. Lovely.

In this issue

Pros playing the wrong ball (shocking I know)

Rules that may, or may not, come in handy for winter golf

Koepka points the finger for rule-breaking

A golf club founded in 1888, currently submerged

After round three

PGA Tour

VidantaWorld Mexico Open

1

Andrew Novak

-23

2

Matthieu Pavon

-17

3

Doug Ghim

-16

Full leaderboard →

LPGA

Maybank Championship

The final round is played overnight our time, so it’ll be finished by the time you read this.

1

Miyu Yamashita

-18

T2

Yan Liu

-16

T2

Pauline Roussin-Bouchard

-16

Full leaderboard →

Next week

DP World Tour: Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship, Yas Links GC, 5 to 8 November

PGA Tour: World Wide Technology Championship, El Cardonal at Diamante, 5 to 8 November

LPGA: TOTO Japan Classic, Taiheiyo Club Minori Course, 5 to 8 November

Bad bounce of the week

We’ve all made the mistake of playing a partner’s ball, it happens. Rarely, though, do we see it happen to the pros.

During Friday’s second round of the VidantaWorld Mexico Open, Brian and Tom both hit into the same bunker on the 18th, and… I’m sure you can guess what happened next.

According to the rulebook, you must take a two-stroke penalty, and, you must correct your mistake by playing your ball.

Not a great day for Brian and Tom.

Send us yours

Had a worse one? The worst we hear about goes in here next week, so hit reply with yours.

Club golf

The rules that catch everyone out in November

It’s always a good day when the rules play in your favour, especially when your playing partner is salivating at the thought of adding a few strokes to your score.

A few worth knowing next time you’re out.

Putting your bag down to shelter the ball, cheating?

Deliberately positioning your bag to shelter your ball while you make a stroke costs two strokes in a medal or loss of hole in a match, under Rule 10.2b(5).

Emphasis on the word deliberately.

Simply putting your bag beside the ball isn’t the same as placing it there to block the weather.

Wiping dew off your line? yay or nay?

Nay. Under Rule 8.1a, you can’t remove dew, frost or water if doing so improves the conditions affecting your stroke, except in the teeing area.

Wiping dew off your putting line costs two shots in stroke play or loss of hole in match play.

Four things

Sunrise over the 8th at Formby Golf Club, Merseyside

Photo: Formby Golf Club

Brooks Koepka says players are bending rules on the PGA Tour

Koepka says that pros are improving their lies in the rough alongside some rather suspicious tapping down on the green. Creating a small channel for the ball does seem to be a creative extension of the rules.

No naming and shaming from Brooks but I can see it being something the Tour could crack down on. Whether anything actually comes of it is another question…

Read it →

Sergio Garcia quits LIV and targets a Ryder Cup return

There has been no shortage of news on the collapse of LIV Golf. Sergio Garcia has confirmed a move back to the DP World Tour for 2027. For those with good memory you may recall Garcia’s sanctions from the DP World Tour leaving him ineligible for the 2023 Ryder Cup.

I’d be interested to see how much grovelling was required on Garcia’s side.

He did say “the most exciting part for me is strengthening personal relationships, both new and old” which, I guess, means he has already started.

Read it →

Seven big names fighting for PGA Tour cards

Golf is tough, even for the pros. Some big names are currently dancing with the danger zone, potentially losing their tour cards.

Horschel, Glover and Høgaard may come as a surprise. Marco Penge is also looking shaky after a breakout year in 2025.

As a local lad from Horsham it would be a shame to see him go. He is also in the top 5 for driving distance which, when your driver is as dubious as mine, is nice to watch.

Read it →

Storm Boelo leaves Dumbarton Golf Club under water

Much of Dumbarton Golf Club is underwater after Storm Boelo. Founded in 1888, the club now faces some seriously heartbreaking damage.

The club says “Bunkers may all need to be re-sanded, multiple bridges will need to be rebuilt, debris will take time to remove, and there are a number of damaged trees that we cannot get to. This will result in a significant cost”.

Thankfully, the clubhouse bar has reopened. At least members and guests can still pop in for a drink, catch some live sport or enjoy the other clubhouse activities.

Read it →

Enjoy your golf this week. Preferably with your own ball. Catch you next Sunday.

Bad Bounce & Co · West Sussex

P.S.

Know someone who blames the bounce? Forward this to them, or stick the link in your club WhatsApp. They can sign up, free, at badbounce.co.

Enjoyed it? The next one lands on Sunday at 7am.

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