Tour pro disqualified after running out of golf balls in wild scenes

Ok Tae-hoon endured one of the most extraordinary exits in recent golf memory after being disqualified during the second round of the Woori Financial Championship — simply because he ran out of golf balls.

The South Korean, who won three times en route to being crowned MVP and the KPGA Tour money list winner last season, was unable to complete his round at Seowon Valley Country Club in Paju on Friday after exhausting his supply with three holes left to play. 

Under the Rules of Golf, players are permitted to borrow a conforming ball from others on the course. 

However, that was not possible in this instance, leaving Ok with no option but to withdraw and accept disqualification.

Starting from the 10th tee, Ok’s round unravelled on the par-5 seventh hole. 

After sending his tee shot off a cliff to the right of the fairway, the world number 211 opted to play a provisional ball — only for it to meet the same fate.

In a remarkable sequence, Ok then hit five more provisionals, all of which disappeared into the same area, losing six balls on a single hole.

Having no balls left to continue, Ok informed officials he could not proceed, and the tournament committee ruled him disqualified.

It capped a miserable day that had already included a quintuple-bogey nine on the par-4 fifth hole. 

A string of wayward shots, an unplayable lie, and further struggles from rough and bunker saw him require seven strokes just to reach the green before eventually two-putting.

The KPGA Tour enforces a “one-ball rule”, meaning players must use the same brand and model throughout a round. 

It is unclear whether Ok attempted to source a replacement ball that complied with this requirement.

Choi Chan went on to claim his maiden KPGA title at 13-under par, finishing three shots clear of Jang Yoo-bin and Jung Tae-yang.

Ok has played three times on the DP World Tour this season, with a best finish coming of tied 23rd at the Hainan Classic. He also finished tied 44th at the Qatar Masters, and he missed the cut at the Bahrain Championship.

For amateur golfers, Ok's golf ball blunder will no doubt raise a wry smile as well as eyebrows. 

Most of us have been there — watching ball after ball disappear into trouble and quietly wondering how many we’ve got left in the bag. 

But to see it happen to a seasoned tour professional is another matter entirely. 

It’s a reminder that, no matter the level, golf has a way of unravelling even the very best. 

The difference, of course, is that most weekend players can reload from the bag or borrow freely without consequence — on tour, even something as simple as running out of balls can bring a round, and a week, to an abrupt and unforgettable end.