Pros advice

Joost Luiten Plays One Shot, Then Leaves Course

Joost Luiten flew to China to play one shot and then walk off course at the BMW Masters in Shanghai.

Playing partner Luke Donald was left baffled by the “strange scenario” after watching the Dutchman chip his driver 120-yards down the fairway and then shake hands and walk back to the clubhouse.

Luiten, who had injured his shoulder earlier in the week, was exploiting a loophole to ensure he still has a chance of playing in the season ending Dubai World Championship.


By playing just one shot, Luiten was deemed to have ‘participated’ in the tournament and has given himself the chance to play for the multi-million pound prize fund up for grabs. Donald later tweeted: “…if that rule wasn’t in affect then Joost would have withdrawn prior to the event and 1st reserve would have got to play this week’s event!”

That unfortunate 1st reserve was James Walters, who would have played in the event if Luiten had been able to withdraw.