Kick Him Off The Tour: Pro Golfer Gets Busted Erasing His Actual Score On The 18th Hole So He Could Make The Cut At Last Week's Ottawa Open

[Monday Q] - Two players were having lunch after the second round of the PGA Tour Canada event in Ottawa on Friday when they noticed that Justin Doeden was listed at 3 under on the leaderboard. One of the players had played with Doeden and had watched him make a 7 on the par-5 home hole to finish 1 under, a shot off what would become the cut line. The players notified the rules officials of their concern, assuming it was a live scoring issue (not unusual on a developmental grind). The officials pulled Doeden's card and noticed that the 7 he made on 18 had been erased and replaced with a 5. 

At scoring, the player who kept Doeden's card confirmed his scores and signed it. Doeden then asked for the card, saying he wanted to double-check some things. Not thinking anything of it, the player handed the card to Doeden and left the scoring area. When he gave it to Doeden, the 18th hole showed a 7. 

Upon seeing Doeden’s adjusted score, at 3 under, the two players approached rules officials. According to sources and tournament operators, the scorecard was pulled, showing an erasure had been made and a 5 had been recorded for the last hole. The officials then asked Doeden, and he said he had made a 5. The rules officials confirmed with the walking scorer and the players in the group that he had made a 7. 

I almost, ALMOST, respect the move here by Justin Doeden. It's a go-to move for people who like to cheat on the golf course. Just lie about your score. If you get caught say 'oh yeah I forgot about that one, my fault. You're right.' Only difference is you're playing a local track and not trying to make the cut at the Ottawa Open. Just a slight difference, but one worth mentioning. 

That said, how did he think this is going to work? Yeah it wasn't The Open and PGA Tour Canada, but did he really think people weren't paying attention? He played with, you know, other guys trying to make the cut. Not to mention the fact there was someone walking with them. You can't hide the fact you went into the water. Brutal mistake, but that's on him. Going for it in two is awesome, but not worth it when a par keeps  you on the right side of the cut and getting some money. 

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I never understood the cheating in golf. First off, if you're not a pro the higher handicap the better so you get strokes. Then if you sandbag the handicap you're a real piece of shit. Just count your strokes, put it in and keep on going. You're not going to be that good. You're playing against buddies. Good chance everyone is pretty much a bogey golfer if you're playing a bunch. Makes the pars and birdies that much sweeter when you get one. 

I do love the fact he's praying for us to forgive him. Not working here, pal! I will not apologize for something I didn't see and only read about. That's how we react this day in age. There are plenty of dumb rules in golf. I'm not going to get started on having to hit out of a divot or the unwritten rules, but there are plenty of dumb ones. Erasing your score and trying to write a new one in is not one I'd list as a dumb rule. 

PS: Patrick Reed is in awe of this move.