Scottsdale, Arizona, September 16, 2025
News Summary
A thrilling Round-of-64 match between Paul Mitzel and Ryan O’Rear at the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship ended controversially as a caddie’s rules violation led to Mitzel’s loss. After a dramatic back-and-forth, the match concluded on the 20th hole without a putt being played due to a breach involving unauthorized use of a motorized cart. Mitzel defended his caddie, while O’Rear advanced to the Round of 32, marking a significant moment in amateur golf history and reminding players of the importance of rules.
Scottsdale, Arizona — Mid-Am Drama at Troon: Match Ends in Controversy After Caddie Breaks the Rules
In a match that had fans on the edge of their seats, Paul Mitzel and Ryan O’Rear played one of the wildest Round-of-64 showdowns at the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship at Troon Country Club. The battle stretched well beyond regulation and ended in a way no one expected — not with a clutch putt, but with a rules violation that handed the match away.
What happened on the course
The match was a back-and-forth scoring frenzy. Both competitors matched each other shot for shot, producing birdies on many of the holes and forcing the contest to extra holes after the par-4 18th was halved. After a long grind that tested nerves and stamina, the match reached the 20th hole. But instead of a dramatic swing or a memorable putt deciding it, no strokes were played on that final hole because of a rules breach involving Mitzel’s caddie.
The caddie, who is also a longtime friend of Mitzel, accepted a ride in a motorized cart to the next tee right after finishing the task of putting the flagstick back in the hole following the previous tie. That simple decision ran afoul of Model Local Rule G-6, which bars players and caddies from riding in motorized transportation during a round unless it’s authorized. The illegal ride resulted in a loss of hole for Mitzel and, consequently, the loss of the match to O’Rear after 20 holes.
Reactions from the players
Mitzel, who has returned to competitive golf after about a decade away and has been enjoying a comeback, stood by his caddie. He defended the friend who had carried the bag, saying he would have likely made the same choice in that moment and felt the friend should not take all the blame. O’Rear, who hails from Georgetown, Texas, asked the walking rules official whether he could veto the infraction but was denied. That formal decision sealed the result: O’Rear advances to the Round of 32 and is set to face George Ordway from Charlottesville, Virginia.
Why this mattered
From a pure golf perspective, this match was a gem. Mitzel, a 35-year-old from Seattle, had pulled the match back with a birdie on the par-5 17th and had been playing some of his best match-play golf. He’s a recent regional champion, with wins including the 2022 Pacific Northwest Amateur and the Trans-Miss Mid-Amateur, and this tournament was shaping up to be a showcase of his comeback. Instead, a rules technicality ended what could have been one for the highlight reel.
This episode joins a short list of memorable moments in golf where unauthorized transportation led to penalties and controversy. It’s a reminder that match play can be won or lost off the tee in ways that have nothing to do with ball striking, putting, or course strategy.
What’s next
O’Rear moves on and will face George Ordway in the next round, while Mitzel’s run at this year’s U.S. Mid-Amateur is over. For Mitzel, the tournament still represented a significant personal achievement — his third straight appearance at this event after a long break from serious competition. He arrived in Scottsdale hoping to make a deep run and proved he could hang with the top amateur match-play talent in the country, even if the ending stings.
Quick takeaways for golf fans
- Match play remains unpredictable: A game that often hinges on momentum and small decisions can end on a technicality rather than a shot.
- Know the rules: Model Local Rule G-6 is there for a reason. Players and caddies should be aware of movement restrictions and cart use policies before a round begins.
- Human element matters: Mitzel’s defense of his longtime friend underscores the emotional side of amateur golf; these are players and caddies who are often teammates, friends, and competitors all at once.
Bottom line
This was the sort of headline-making match that golfers will talk about for a while — a tight, thrilling duel that ended not on the green but in a rules book. For match-play lovers, it’s yet another reminder that every choice, even the walk between holes, can carry big consequences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why did Paul Mitzel lose the match?
Mitzel lost because his caddie accepted a motorized cart ride in violation of Model Local Rule G-6, which resulted in a loss of hole and therefore the match after 20 holes.
What is Model Local Rule G-6?
Model Local Rule G-6 prohibits players and caddies from riding in motorized transportation during a round unless specific authorization has been given. Unauthorized use can lead to penalties including loss of hole in match play.
Did either player break any other rules?
No other rules infractions were reported. The deciding issue was the unauthorized cart ride taken by Mitzel’s caddie.
Who advances in the tournament?
Ryan O’Rear advanced to the Round of 32, where he is scheduled to play George Ordway from Charlottesville, Virginia.
Quick Reference Table: Match Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship at Troon Country Club, Scottsdale, Arizona |
| Players | Paul Mitzel (Seattle) vs. Ryan O’Rear (Georgetown, Texas) |
| Final result | O’Rear advances after Mitzel loses hole due to caddie rules violation on 20th hole |
| Rule involved | Model Local Rule G-6 — unauthorized use of motorized transportation |
| Match length | 20 holes (ended without strokes played on final hole) |
| Mitzel background | 35-year-old, three consecutive U.S. Mid-Amateur appearances, recent regional wins include 2022 Pacific Northwest Amateur and Trans-Miss Mid-Amateur |
| Next match for O’Rear | Round of 32 vs. George Ordway (Charlottesville, Virginia) |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Golf Digest
- Golf.com
- Golfweek
- Sports Illustrated
- GolfMagic
- Wikipedia: United States Mid-Amateur Championship
- Google Search: US Mid-Amateur Championship 2025
- Google Scholar: US Mid-Amateur Championship
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Golf
- Google News: US Mid-Amateur Championship
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