Golfer Landon Michelson signs incorrect scorecard, disqualified from US Open

Landon Michelson learned one of professional golf’s most fastidious rules the hard way this week. Make sure your scorecard is correct before you sign it

More from Golf

Unfortunately for Michelson, it’s going to be a lesson hard-learned, as his scorecard at the US Open sectional qualifier in Vero Beach, Fla. was off by one stroke — signing for a 70 when he actually shot a 71 in one of the rounds — thus disqualifying him from being able to participate in the upcoming US Open.

Michelson, who was playing as an alternate in the sectional due to Freddie Jacoboson being a no-show, was the one who noticed the error and turned himself in.

“You can say it was the only thing to do, but I could have easily have said nothing and I’d be playing in the U.S. Open at Pinehurst,” Michelson told Golfweek.

Had the scorecard stood, Michelson would have qualified for a two-man playoff for the rights to play in the US Open at Pinehurst.

Ironically, Michelson did a report while a student at Rice University on golfer Blayne Barber disqualifying himself from Q-School in 2012.

Michelson’s caddy, Chris Ingham, was supportive of his golfer coming clean about the mistake. “He told me ‘This means the world to me, I don’t know if I can do it,’ ” said Ingham. “(I told him) I think you are going to regret it if you don’t come forward.”

Karma swings both ways, and it’s certain that Michelson’s honesty will bring him another shot down the road.

Home/Golf