12 Golf Controversies That Shook Up The Sport
Vote up the scandals in pro golf that truly rattled the sport.
All sports come with scandal, because pretty much all human endeavors come with scandal. But when it comes to the major North American sports, most people wouldn’t consider professional golfers to be among the most scandal-prone among athletes.
However, golf is surprisingly full of controversy. Yes, this includes breaking esoteric golfing rules, like the time when Jordan Spieth had to forfeit the lead after three rounds in a PGA Tour event all because he turned in an inaccurate scorecard. But golf attracts all kinds of other scandals, too, in all varieties. This includes on-course scuffles, off-course shenanigans of the personal variety, high-stakes financial crimes, and even associations with human rights abusers.
Which of the following golf scandals was the most shocking? You be the judge.
What Happened: In 2007, golfing legend and 18-time major winner Jack Nicklaus accepted a $145 million investment in his company from banker and real-estate mogul Howard Milstein. When Nicklaus and Milstein renegotiated their deal in 2012, Nicklaus exchanged a higher gross income for control of the company. The relationship deteriorated from there. In 2022, Nicklaus attempted to sever all ties with Milstein. Milstein then threatened to sue Scott Tolley, Nicklaus’s longtime aide, to prevent him from continuing to work with Nicklaus. Milstein also accused Nicklaus of considering an offer to join the controversial LIV Tour. When Nicklaus attempted to continue designing golf courses under his company’s name, “Nicklaus Companies, LLC,” Milstein filed a lawsuit in May 2022.
The Aftermath: In December 2022, a New York State court sided with Milstein, forbidding Nicklaus from using his name or likeness to design golf courses. In April 2023, Nicklaus filed a suit in Florida alleging unfair competition. Milstein successfully moved to have that case transferred to federal court, where it was dismissed under the “Princess Lida” doctrine. In other words, Milstein retains control over Nicklaus’s likeness, but Nicklaus continues to fight.
Rough?- 2
Casey Martin Asked To Use A Cart For His Congenital Leg Condition, Prompting Major Blowback From The Game’s Biggest Names
What Happened: Golf prodigy Casey Martin was born with Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome, which obstructs the flow of blood from his right leg to his heart. After Martin graduated from college and attempted to turn professional, he sued the PGA Tour in 1997 for the right to use a golf cart during competitions, which would have spared him from having to walk the four miles that the average PGA Tour golfer walks during a round.
The Aftermath: The court sided with Martin in February 1998, allowing him to become the first golfer in US Open history to ride in a cart the following June. However, the PGA Tour appealed the decision and took the case to the Supreme Court, with both Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus opposing Martin’s bid, and Nicklaus testifying against him. Despite this, the Supreme Court ruled in Martin’s favor in May 2001.
But by then, Martin’s playing career was essentially over. Martin had his leg amputated in 2021. In 2006 he became the University of Oregon men’s golf coach and remains in the post as of June 2024.
Rough? What Happened: Tiger Woods broke many barriers as a biracial golfer in the 1990s. In 1997, Woods was on the cusp of winning his first major torment, the Masters - still on the course, in fact, when previous champion Fuzzy Zoeller made the following remark to reporters. Noting that the Masters’ champion chooses the menu for the following year’s Champions’ Dinner, Zoeller said, "You know what you guys do when he gets in here? You pat him on the back and say congratulations and enjoy it and tell him not to serve fried chicken next year. Got it." He then added, "Or collard greens, or whatever the hell they serve."
The Aftermath: The following year, Woods was assigned to a threesome at the second round of the 1998 Masters with Zoeller and Colin Montgomerie. During the round, Woods took the initiative and encouraged everyone to focus on golf. Woods would go on to win 82 PGA Tour events, tying Sam Snead for the record, including 15 major tournaments. Zoeller, meanwhile, lost several sponsors including Kmart.
Rough?- 4
John Rahm Had To Withdraw From A Tournament He Was Leading By 6 Strokes On The Final Day After Testing Positive For COVID
What Happened: In June 2021, the PGA had held about 50 events since it returned to play during the COVID-19 pandemic, with just four positive tests. The fourth was Jon Rahm, the Spanish golfer and then second-ranked golfer in the world. Contact tracing determined that Rahm was in the proximity of someone with COVID and allowed him to participate in the Memorial Tournament if he agreed to daily testing. At the end of the third day, Rahm had a six-stroke lead but tested positive and was forced to withdraw.
The Aftermath: Rahm was asymptomatic and spent several days in isolation. He was able to compete in the US Open ten days later but did have to miss the Tokyo Olympics two months later due to another positive test.
Rough? What Happened: On November 26, 2009, Tiger Woods and his then-wife Elin Nordegren, were hosting his mother for Thanksgiving at his mansion in Windermere, Florida. But it wasn’t a happy holiday. The day before, The National Enquirer published an exposé alleging Tiger’s ongoing affair with New York night club manager Rachel Uchitel. Tiger attempted to assure Elin that nothing was untoward, but when Tiger left his phone unattended, Elin discovered evidence of a second affair with Jaimee Grubbs.
On Thanksgiving night, Elin got Tiger’s phone and confronted Uchitel while impersonating Tiger, confirming the affair. She then attacked Tiger with a golf club. Tiger, who’d taken Ambien and Vicodin that night, attempted to flee the mansion in his SUV but crashed. Neighbors found Elin attempting to revive an unconscious Tiger, outside the wrecked vehicle.
The Aftermath: Publicly, Tiger Woods asked for privacy so his family could deal with the scandal privately, but the media refused to comply. Over the next several months, 14 other women came forward admitting to having sexual relations with Tiger. Tiger and Elin divorced the following August.
Rough?- 6
Scottie Scheffler Was Arrested The Morning Of A PGA Event
What Happened: In May 2024, World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler’s second round of the PGA Championship at Louisville’s Valhalla Golf Club got off to about as bad of a start as possible. Scheffler arrived a couple hours before his 10 am tee time, unaware that a man had been killed in a traffic accident outside the club earlier that morning. According to ESPN reporter and witness Jeff Darlington, Scheffler attempted to drive around the accident site, ignoring orders from police officers to stop. One police officer attempted to reach into Scheffler’s moving vehicle and sustained minor injuries. When Scheffler stopped, police arrested him on the spot.
The Aftermath: Scheffler faced a felony charge of second-degree assault of a police officer, as well as three misdemeanors: third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic. The prosecutor dropped all charges later that month.
Rough?
