Lowry Penalized for Ball Marking Error at U.S. Open

Shane Lowry was penalized one stroke during his second round at the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont after picking up his ball on the 14th green without marking it, a clear rules violation. The penalty led to a double bogey and contributed to Lowry missing the cut, as he shot rounds of 79 and 78 to finish well over par, with the cut line hovering at 6 or 7 over. Lowry laughed about the mistake with playing partners Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose but later called it one of his 'stupidest' errors. The incident received widespread attention from fans and media, who discussed the psychological demands of the U.S. Open. Lowry admitted to struggling with both his game and Oakmont's challenges, reflecting on how quickly his round unraveled. The error highlighted the strictness of golf's rules regarding ball marking, as well as some perceived leniency in their application.