Marcel Siem DQ'd from BMW PGA Championship After Bizarre Rules Incident
Veteran golfer Marcel Siem faced a shocking disqualification (DQ) at the 2025 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth after a confusing incident on the 18th hole. The six-time DP World Tour winner took to social media to explain the situation and deny accusations of cheating.
The Bizarre 18th Hole Incident
Siem began his round poorly, struggling to find his form. His troubles culminated on the par-5 18th. After his tee shot went right, believing it to be out of bounds, he played a provisional ball. Even when his original ball was found, he proceeded to play his provisional, incurring a penalty. He finished the hole, thinking he had carded a bogey.
'I Didn't Cheat': Siem Explains
Following his round, Siem clarified the situation on Instagram, emphatically stating, "I didn't cheat." He explained that he mistakenly believed the right side of the 18th hole was out of bounds, leading him to hit a provisional. The reality was that the area was a water hazard. This crucial error in understanding the course layout led to his disqualification after he consulted with a referee.
The Rules Violation Breakdown
The mistake stemmed from Siem's misunderstanding of the rules regarding water hazards and unplayable lies. According to his explanation, when his original ball was found under a branch in the hazard, he deemed it unplayable. He then proceeded to play his provisional, which is incorrect. The rules state that if a ball is in a water hazard and declared unplayable, the player must either take a penalty stroke and drop within two club-lengths of where the ball entered the hazard, take a penalty stroke and drop behind the hazard keeping the point where the original ball last crossed the hazard margin between himself and the hole, or go back to where the original shot was played. By playing the provisional, he violated these rules, leading to his disqualification.
Siem's Perspective and Future Outlook
Despite the disappointing DQ, Siem remains positive and focused on improving his game. He aims to bounce back with a strong performance at the upcoming French Open. The incident highlights the importance of understanding course rules and maintaining focus throughout a round, even when "tired of the whole day," as Siem admitted.
