Cameron Young penalizes himself, still builds huge lead at Cadillac Championship

Golfer Cameron Young owned a six-shot lead Sunday, May 3, entering the final round of the Cadillac Championship.

After winning The Players Championship and finishing in a tie for third at the Masters, Young is continuing his strong campaign on the PGA Tour. He owns the No. 4 world ranking.

MORE: Mike Trout, Tiger Woods announcement polarizes fans

But Young ran into trouble of his own making on the long par-4 second hole Sunday at Trump National Doral’s Blue Monster course.

The PGA Tour shared video on X of Young calling a one-stroke penalty on himself. Young told a tournament official his ball moved as he started his backswing.

Following the rules

Young stopped his backswing immediately after noticing the ball’s movement and called for a tournament official.

Under the Rules of Golf, a player must replace a ball to its original spot if a ball at rest moves before a shot. The player is penalized only if his actions caused the ball to move.

“I touched the ground, but I don’t see how that would make it roll forward,” Young said to his caddie.

The official informed Young he would have to take a stroke penalty if he caused the ball to move. “You have to think it was probably me. OK, sounds good,” Young said.

Bouncing back

Unaffected, Young hit an 8-iron to within 12 feet below the hole and drained the putt for a par.

Through 11 holes, Young stood at 17-under for the tournament. He held a commanding six-shot lead over Ben Griffin and Adam Scott. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, Alex Noren and Si Woo Kim stood seven shots back.

The 2021-22 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, Young has earned $32.4 million as a pro. His first PGA title came at the Wyndam Championship in 2025.