Sam Burns sparks golf rules debate at RBC Canadian Open – here's why he escaped penalty

Sam Burns escaped penalty scrutiny during the third round of the RBC Canadian Open after a rules incident on the 16th green sparked confusion among viewers and criticism on social media.

The 29-year-old American was seen picking up and moving his ball without first placing a marker behind it, leading some PGA Tour fans to question whether he had breached the Rules of Golf and should have been handed a two-shot penalty.

The incident occurred after Burns missed a 15-foot par putt on the par-4 16th. 

As he prepared to tap in, Burns noticed his ball had moved from its original position on the green without any action on his part causing it to do so.

After informing his playing partner Ben James, Burns replaced the ball to its original spot before marking it and holing out for bogey.

Clips of the incident (see below) quickly circulated on social media, with a number of fans incorrectly suggesting Burns had committed a rules violation.

One fan posted: "Sam Burns just picked his ball up with no marker... you need to start stroking guys!!"

As speculation gathered pace online, a PGA Tour rules official joined the broadcast and confirmed Burns would be spoken to after the round to clarify the situation.

However, Burns' actions were fully permitted under the Rules of Golf.

Under Rule 9.1 and 9.6, if a ball at rest on the putting green is moved by natural forces such as wind, it must be replaced on its original spot before play continues.

That's exactly what Burns did.

With windy conditions increasing late in the round at TPC Toronto, Burns deemed the ball had been moved by the wind. 

He consulted James before replacing it to its previous position and then continued play without penalty.

This was all then cleared after his round before signing his scorecard. 

Had Burns simply lifted his ball and moved it to a different location without cause, he would have incurred a two-stroke penalty. 

But because it was agreed the ball had already been moved by natural forces while at rest on the putting green, he was entitled to replace it.

Watch what happened here: 

Some golf fans may recall a similar situation occurred involving Collin Morikawa during the 2023 Masters.

Burns recovered from the bogey at the 16th with a birdie on the par-5 18th to sign for a one-under-par 69.

The five-time PGA Tour winner heads into the final round at 10-under par, three shots behind leader Jackson Suber as he looks to secure his first victory since the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in March 2023.