A costly but obscure rules violation ended Paul Mitzel’s run at the 2025 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship on Monday at Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Mitzel, 35, from Seattle, was battling Ryan O’Rear of Georgetown, Texas, in a tense first-round match that stretched to the 20th hole. The outcome swung not on a shot but on an infraction by Mitzel’s caddie — a longtime friend — who accepted a volunteer’s offer for a quick ride in a cart from the first green to the second tee (the 19th to 20th hole of the match).
Unfortunately, Model Local Rule G-6 was in effect at the championship. The USGA rule prohibits players and caddies from riding in motorized transport during a round unless specifically authorized by the committee. The unauthorized lift resulted in a loss-of-hole penalty — in this case, the loss of the deciding hole and thus the match.
O’Rear advanced with the ruling, while Mitzel handled the unusual ending with grace. Speaking to GolfChannel.com, he said, “I have to think anyone in that situation takes the ride when a shuttle driver asks if they want to hop on really quick and not think anything of it. … My caddie doesn’t deserve any fault. He’s the man and an awesome friend. I’d do the same thing in his shoes. We were having so much fun, it’s too bad.”
The loss ended Mitzel’s third consecutive appearance at the U.S. Mid-Amateur, a tournament known for testing the composure of some of the country’s top amateur golfers — both on the course and with the rule book.
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