Report: Golf caddie makes dozy blunder during US Mid-Amateur match
A bizarre rules mistake from a caddie proved costly for his player as a thrilling first-round match at the US Mid-Amateur Championship ended in controversial fashion.
Paul Mitzel and Ryan O'Rear produced one of the best first-round matches at the US Mid-Amateur Championship, but their thrilling encounter ended in bizarre circumstances.
The pair countered each other with a glut of birdies at Troon Country Club in Scottsdale in a match that went right to the wire.
They both parred the 18th to send the tie into a sudden-death playoff, and the first extra hole was also halved in par-4s.
But O'Rear was pronounced the winner before they got to the next tee!
An eagle-eyed rules official spotted a rare infringement from Mitzel's caddie as the group left the 1st green.
Mitzel's looper, perhaps somewhat weary after 19 holes of carrying in the desert, was grateful for the offer of a ride on a golf cart from one of the course shuttle drivers.
Unfortunately, his decision to accept that offer cost Mitzel the hole - and the match.
Paul Mitzel can’t remember a crazier match.
— Brentley Romine (@BrentleyGC) September 16, 2025
He and his Round-of-64 opponent, Ryan O’Rear, put on a show Monday at the U.S. Mid-Amateur, held this week at Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. The two players each took seven holes of regulation, all but two of them via… pic.twitter.com/zTGcmnNcI2
He had breached Model Local Rule G-6, which states: “During a round, a player or caddie must not ride on any form of motorised transportation except as authorised or later approved by the committee.”
“The match was incredible,” Mitzel told the Golf Channel as he made his way home. “I’ve played a lot of match play, and I’ve never experienced anything like that. Not sure I’ll ever experience anything like that again.
“Too bad it had to end that way.”
Mitzel made it clear that he absolved his caddie, a long-time friend, of any blame, while he also revealed that O'Rear had generously asked for the ruling to be overturned, but his request was denied by officials.
“I have to think anyone in that situation takes the ride when a shuttle driver asks if they want to hop on really quick and not think anything of it,” Mitzel added.
"My caddie doesn’t deserve any fault. He’s the man and an awesome friend. I’d do the same thing in his shoes. We were having so much fun, it’s too bad.
“It’s hardened me in a lot of ways. I was looking forward to making a dent this year, and I truly believe I was about to.”
Keith has been signed by GolfMagic's content team during the summer transfer window. He has over 25 years' experience in the sports journalism industry, with almost 20 of those spent in digital media at Sky Sports, including seven years as digital editor for golf content.
