MJ Maguire Disqualified at Mercuries Taiwan Masters

MJ Maguire was removed from the Mercuries Taiwan Masters after officials ruled that his original ball had been located too late to remain in play. The American had shot 71 on Thursday and was inside the event’s top 20 before the decision. The tournament took place at Taiwan Golf and Country Club and carried a $1.2 million purse.

Maguire’s tee shot on the ninth went into rough, prompting a search involving him, his caddie, another player and a spotter. He started heading back toward the tee to use the lost-ball procedure, but a spectator found a ball thought to be his. Maguire continued with it because he believed the search limit was still open. The committee concluded that more than three minutes had passed. Under the rules, using the ball created a two-stroke penalty, and he needed to fix the error before playing from the 10th tee. He did not, so disqualification followed. Officials said the ruling did not rely on any belief that Maguire meant to break a rule.

Chien-Yao Hung won the tournament for his first Asian Tour title, beating Wade Ormsby by one stroke after a birdie on the final hole. Maguire’s only Asian Tour victory remains the 2024 Black Mountain Championship.