To say that six-time DP World Tour winner Marcel Siem is having an unfortunate stretch is putting it mildly.
The 45-year-old German, who last found the winner’s circle at the 2024 Italian Open when he edged Tom McKibbin in a playoff, was forced to withdraw from the Amgen Irish Open last week after back pain flared up.
But this week, Siem’s woes were compounded when he was disqualified from the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, the most lucrative event on the European schedule.
Here’s how it happened: Siem pushed his drive on the 18th hole on Thursday, and followed it by hitting a provisional off the tee. As he was preparing to hit the provisional, a patron found his first ball, and there was confusion over whether the ball was out of bounds or in a water hazard. Siem played his provisional and finished the hole.
“I just wanted to let you know I didn’t cheat. I would never do that, so I got disqualified, unfortunately,” Siem said. “I hit a provisional, thinking it’s out of bounds on the right. I never knew it’s a water hazard on the right.”
After he finished, Siem, who has played in 14 major tournaments, felt like something was wrong, and walked through the scenario with an official.
“I was just about to sign my card, and I just realized something is off here. I said ‘Guys, I don’t think I made a six, let’s call a referee.’
“I said, ‘Dude, I think I made a mistake here, right? I’m supposed to go back to the 18th tee box and play my third shot, right?’ Because it’s a water hazard, and if I declared it as unplayable, I have to go back, and I cannot hit my provisional ball.
“So that was the case and I’m disqualified because of that.”
Siem explained the entire series on Instagram.
Hideki Matsuyama leads the tournament after 36 holes as the 33-year-old from Japan fired an 8-under 64 in Friday’s second round to enter the weekend as the leader by one at 12 under.
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