Peter Uihlein shrugs off unusual night-golf penalty to stay in LIV Golf lead

LIV Golf’s new season began this week in Riyadh with plenty of change already in play. The league has moved from its familiar 54-hole format to 72 holes, welcomed new signings, lost big names such as Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed, and begun awarding Official World Ranking points (sorta). 

But the biggest adjustment for players this week has come after sunset.

LIV Golf is staging its season opener under floodlights at Riyadh Golf Club — and it has created some unique challenges. 

Just ask Peter Uihlein.

“It’s tough under the lights,” Uihlein said after his second round. “If you hit it in certain spots and the light is shining right on top of you, the ball is basically pitch black. You really can’t see it.”

That difficulty caught Uihlein out twice in bunkers, leading to chunked shots, but the most unusual moment came on the par-4 9th hole during round two — when he had to reach for something he had never previously needed on a golf course: a flashlight.

After driving into scrub grass, Uihlein carefully walked into the area with a torch to locate his ball. 

However, despite trying to remain clear of it, his movements were judged to have caused the ball to move, resulting in a one-shot penalty.

In a video shared on LIV Golf’s social media channels, see below, Uihlein clarified the ruling with a rules official: if the ball moved as he stepped away, the penalty would stand. It did.

“My ball moved, I guess, on nine,” Uihlein said later. “Never had that happen before. So that was a penalty — so that was sweet.”

Visibly frustrated but careful not to worsen the situation, Uihlein grabbed a club, skipped a practice swing and fired his next shot onto the green.

He went on to two-putt for bogey but still signed for a solid 69, leaving him firmly in contention.

Despite the strange setback, Uihlein has handled the night-golf experiment better than most. 

“Reality is everyone’s got to do it,” he said. “You just embrace it. I enjoy this. I think it’s fun, entertaining and unique.”

Fast forward to day three and Uihlein is tied for the 54-hole lead at 16-under par alongside LIV newcomer Elvis Smylie. 

Uihlein nipped round in 66, while Smylie fared one shot better. 

Talor Gooch, now captain of Smash GC following Koepka’s return to the PGA Tour, sits one shot back.

Abraham Ancer, Jon Rahm and Thomas Detry are two behind on 14-under.

Flashlight mishap or not, Uihlein remains right where he wants to be as he seeks a first career LIV Golf title. 

Check out scores from LIV Golf Riyadh