Golfer at U.S. Amateur ‘shocked’ after losing match because his caddie touched the sand

This was a horrible way to get knocked out of the U.S. Amateur.

The U.S. Amateur Championship is being held at Bandon Dunes this week, which is one of the most special places in all of golf.

But one golfer in the championship probably won’t have fond memories of the place after a stunning mistake by his caddie cost him his match and knocked him out of the prestigious tournament.

Segundo Oliva Pinto was tied in his match with Tyler Strafaci as the two made their way to the 18th green. Pinto’s ball was in a greenside bunker and while he was preparing for his next shot his caddie went in the bunker and touched the sand with his hands to get a feel for how the sand was playing. That is against the rules and was immediately called. That penalty gave Strafaci the hole and the victory in their Round of 16 match.

OUCH.

Here’s how it played out:

Now that is a brutal way to lose any match, but especially at such a big event as this.