David Puig experienced a dramatic ending at the Dubai Desert Classic, one of the most important tournaments on the DP World Tour. The Spanish golfer lost a place on the podium after receiving a two-stroke penalty on the final hole, a decision that changed his final position on the leaderboard.
However, after reviewing video footage, tournament officials ruled that Puig had touched the sand in a bunker on the 18th hole before playing his shot. According to Rule 12.2b of the Rules of Golf, this action is not allowed.
As a result, his final score was adjusted from 73 (+1) to 75 (+3). This penalty dropped Puig from third place to seventh overall, finishing the tournament at seven under par alongside Marcus Armitage and Ricardo Gouveia.
The decision had important sporting and financial consequences. Puig lost prize money and valuable ranking points. As a LIV Golf member, his access to world ranking points is already limited, making strong results in DP World Tour events even more important. Puig is currently ranked around 99th in the world, and a podium finish in Dubai could have moved him much closer to the Top 50, a key requirement for qualifying for golf’s four Major Championships.
Despite the disappointment, Puig continues to show excellent form at the start of the season. The young Spaniard remains one of the most promising players in golf in Spain, regularly competing at the highest level. When playing at home, he is often linked to some of Spain’s most iconic courses, such as Real Club Valderrama, PGA Catalunya, and Club de Golf Barcelona, all popular destinations for international golf holidays.
Spain’s reputation as a top golf destination continues to grow, supported by world-class courses and rising stars like Puig. While Dubai ended in frustration, his performances suggest more strong results are still to come.
