Joel Dahmen withdraws from Shriners after Max. penalty

Joel Dahmen withdrew from the Shriners Children’s Open before the start of the second round, following a costly mistake that resulted in a four-stroke penalty. The 36-year-old golfer was already struggling after his opening round and found himself in 131st place out of 132 players at 5-over-par before he made the decision to withdraw. The event took place at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas, and Friday’s second round was delayed due to windy conditions.

The incident could have significant consequences for Dahmen’s playing status for the upcoming season. Currently ranked No. 124 in the FedEx Cup Fall standings, Dahmen’s spot on the PGA Tour for 2025 is in jeopardy, as only the top 125 players by the end of the fall circuit will retain full status. Every tournament matters for him, and this misstep could impact his future on the tour.

The issue arose when Dahmen self-reported that he had been carrying 15 clubs in his bag, one more than the allowed 14. He discovered the error during his opening round on Thursday. Professional golfers typically travel with 15 or 16 clubs to have options, but they are responsible for reducing their set to 14 before starting a round. Dahmen admitted that he overlooked this step, and the extra club, a second 4-iron, went unnoticed by both him and his caddie, Geno Bonnalie, until the round had already begun.

Dahmen reflected on the situation with a mix of frustration and bewilderment. “I’d like to blame Geno,” he said, half-jokingly. “That would be the easy thing to do. But it’s not his fault either.” He explained that he had played practice rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday with the same bag but didn’t realize he had two 4-irons until he reached the fourth hole on Thursday. While reaching for a water bottle, he saw the extra 4-iron in an unusual spot, immediately realizing the mistake. “Our stuff is always in the right spot. It wasn’t in the right spot,” Dahmen noted, still surprised by how the club ended up in his bag.

For Dahmen, the mistake comes at a particularly tough time. He is not only fighting for his tour card but also for a strong finish in the FedEx Cup Fall standings. This season has been challenging, and with his withdrawal from the Shriners Open, he’ll have fewer opportunities to secure his position in the top 125.

Despite the setback, Dahmen has had his moments of success on the PGA Tour. He claimed his first career victory at the 2021 Corales Puntacana Resort and Club Championship. However, recent struggles have seen him drop in the rankings; he currently sits at No. 229 in the Official World Golf Ranking. Dahmen was also featured in the Netflix documentary series “Full Swing,” which gave fans a behind-the-scenes look at his journey as a professional golfer.

As Dahmen continues to navigate the ups and downs of life on tour, his next moves will be crucial for his career. With his full playing status on the line, he’ll need to regroup and make the most of the remaining tournaments in the fall circuit to ensure a place on the tour in 2025.