Haotong Li Hit With Rule 9.4b Penalty at Amgen Irish Open

Haotong Li was assessed a one-stroke penalty during the third round of the Amgen Irish Open at Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg after his ball moved while he stood in a stream trying to play it.

What happened at the par-5 10th?

Li, playing alongside leader Shane Lowry and Denmark's Jacob Skov Olesen, hit his second shot at the par-5 10th into a stream that crosses the fairway. He waded in to assess the shot, and while he was standing in the water the ball shifted from its original position.

Li called for a rules official, who confirmed the ball needed to be replaced where it had originally come to rest. With Lowry helping him judge the spot, Li estimated the location, replayed the shot from the stream and advanced it onto the green.

What rule did Haotong Li break?

The DP World Tour later confirmed the breach as Rule 9.4b, which covers a player who lifts, deliberately touches or otherwise causes their ball at rest to move. The penalty is one stroke, and the ball must be replaced on its original spot.

Li was tied for third at 10 under when the incident occurred, three shots behind Olesen. The penalty produced his first bogey of the day, and three more followed without a birdie to offset them as he carded a 2-over 72.

He finished round three tied for sixth, 10 shots behind 54-hole leader Lowry, leaving him with little realistic chance of a fifth DP World Tour title heading into Sunday's final round.