Golfer Admits to Cheating, Calls It His 'Biggest Mistake'

Over the weekend, pro golfers from all over the world gathered for the PGA Tour's Canada Commissionaires Ottawa Open event. After the second round of the event, however, American golfer Justin Doeden raised eyebrows when two other competitors who saw him playing out on the course noticed his score was different from what they had witnessed. 

When officials looked at Doeden's scorecard themselves, they noticed he erased and changed his score on the 18th hole, thus guaranteeing him a spot to compete for the prize money. As the investigation continued, he withdrew from the tournament and confessed to cheating. 

Golf reporter Ryan French first covered the discrepancy that led to Doeden's shameful moment. "This will probably result in a suspension or at the very least, follow him the rest of his career," French wrote on social media. "I don’t wish Justin any ill will but the fact of the matter is he could have affected a player's season or career and those players are (understandably) pissed off."

For his part, Doeden publicly addressed the controversy head-on and explained his impropriety on the links. 

"I am here to confess of the biggest mistake I have made in my life to date. I cheated in golf," he admitted. "This is not who I am. I let my sponsors down. I let my competitors down. I let my family down. I let myself down." 

"I pray for your forgiveness," Doeden added. He went on to cite 1 John 1:9 from the Bible: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

I am here to confess of the biggest mistake I have made in my life to date. I cheated in golf. This is not who I am. I let my sponsors down. I let my competitors down. I let my family down. I let myself down. I pray for your forgiveness. John 1:9 @acaseofthegolf1

— Justin Doeden (@jdoeden11) July 24, 2023

Doeden largely received support from fans in the comments, as well as the reporter who first covered what happened on the course. 

"Awesome of Justin to just tell it like it is and apologize," French said in response to the confession, which he had been tagged in. "There should be a punishment (and I’m sure there has been). But he owned up to it. Maybe because he got caught but maybe not. Hope he learned his lesson."

As for a fine, suspension, or any other disciplinary action Doeden may face for his actions, the organization plans to deal with it behind the scenes.

"A violation of the Rules of Golf is handled in accordance with the PGA Tour Canada Player Handbook and Tournament Regulations," a representative told Golf.com. "Per Tour policy, the matter—and any related disciplinary action—will be handled internally.” On official tournament records, he's shown to have withdrawn rather than been disqualified. 

It's far from the first time a pro has been caught fudging the numbers on the course, but a worthwhile lesson nonetheless for the globetrotting golfer.