In a time where YouTube golf videos bring in higher views than some PGA Tour events, the Internet Invitational has taken the golf world by storm.  The Internet Invitational was released as a six-episode series capturing over 24 million views on YouTube alone over three weeks.  

Held at Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri, the Invitational brought together 48 of YouTube’s biggest golf personalities all for a chance to win $1 million.  With that much money on the line, it was almost a guarantee that there would be some drama involved.

In this blog, we will review the most controversial rulings implemented throughout the tournament by the host and “Rules official”, Dave Portnoy, through the eyes of an NCGA tournament official.  During the span of the six episodes there were three main Rules controversies--the first being Luke Kwon missing his tee time for the first day of the scramble portion, Paige Spiranac’s leveling of weeds to create a better shot opportunity and Malosi’s Slopegate.

Luke Kwon’s Missed Tee Time

For those unfamiliar with Luke Kwon’s background, he is a former collegiate golfer at Oklahoma University and past PGA Tour China champion.  Playing at such a high level, you would think punctuality would be second nature to an accomplished golfer such as Luke.  This was not the case for the Internet Invitational.

The opening day for the Invitational kicked off with a 9-hole 2v2 match play scramble format.  Luke and his partner were scheduled for a 9:30 a.m. start time, but Luke happened to still be in bed by the time his partner was forced to tee off against their opponents.  Luke later joined the group as they were hitting their approach shots to the 1st green.  

Dave Portnoy’s ruling was a 4-hole penalty placed on Luke, where he was only able to participate in the scramble at the start of the 5th hole.  For our Tournament Official readers and those who understand the Rules of Golf upheld by the R&A and USGA know that this would not be the ruling in an actual scramble tournament.  

 

NCGA Tournament Rules Official Ruling:  In a NCGA scramble tournament, Luke would have been able to join his partner whenever he caught up to the group, including in between shots and would not have to wait until the hole to be completed to participate. 

 

Paige Spiranac’s Improving Lie

Paige is another Internet Invitational participant who is a former D1 golfer playing at both the University of Arizona and San Diego State University.  She also spent time competing on the Cactus Tour in 2016, along with competing in an LPGA Qualifying Tournament in hopes of earning a tour card to play on the professional circuit.  

During the final round and video of the 3v3 matchplay alternate shot portion of the Internet Invitational, Paige was seen pressing down long weeds after a teammate’s errant shot ended up on the hillside.  

Dave’s ruling on this matter was to let the hole play out and see how it goes for the final two teams.  Had Paige’s team somehow won or tied the hole it seems like Dave would have penalized the team at that time.  Since Paige and her team lost the hole outright, Dave did not offer a ruling or penalize the team at the time of the infraction occurring. 

 

NCGA Tournament Rules Official Ruling:  By improving her team’s lie on the hillside, Paige violated Rule 8.1 Player’s Actions That Improve Conditions Affecting the Stroke - To support the principle of “play the course as you find it”, this Rule restricts what a player may do to improve any of these protected “conditions affecting the stroke”  (anywhere on or off the course) for the next stroke the player will make.  8.1a Actions That Are Not Allowed - a player must not take any of these actions if they improve the conditions affecting the stroke: Move, bend or break any growing or attached natural object (e.g. long weeds or brush).  Since Paige did improve her Conditions Affecting the Stroke (CAtS) a General Penalty would be implemented resulting in a loss of the hole.

 

Malosi’s Slopegate

Malosi Togisala, aka Big Mo is best known for being a Good Good Golf personality that joined the YouTube golf collection in July 2024.  Now Malosi may be widely known for what the internet is calling “Slopegate”.

During the final two rounds and videos of the Internet Invitational Malosi was suspected of keeping on the slope adjustment for his rangefinder after Dave Portnoy had announced at the start of the tournament that no slope could be used during its duration.  Malosi was not questioned once by opponents but twice for possibly still keeping on the slope adjustment during the final two rounds.  Although Dave and the other participants were unable to 100% prove that Malosi’s slope was left on, there seems to be some incriminating evidence that he in fact was playing with the slope adjustment on.

 

 

NCGA Tournament Rules Official Ruling: If there isn’t a Local Rule that allows the slope adjustment to be on while participating in a tournament, this would fall under Rule 4.3 for Allowed and Prohibited Uses of Equipment.  According to 4.3a, A player may use equipment to help their play during a round, except that a player must not create a potential advantage by using equipment that artificially eliminates or reduces the need for a skill or judgment that is essential to the challenge of the game.  For example, Distance and Directional Information: allowed is getting information on distance or direction (such as from a distance measuring device or compass), not allowed is measuring elevation changes.  Penalty breach of Rule 4.3 will result in another General Penalty of the loss of a hole for match play.  If Malosi had been penalized for two separate breaches of the rule in the same round, this would result in a disqualification for his whole team. 

 

Closing Thoughts and Rules Seminars

The Internet Invitational delivered exactly what modern golf entertainment thrives on, big personalities, high stakes and rules drama that had viewers debating long after the final putt dropped.  With how popular the first year's Invitational has been, I can’t wait to see what 2026 has in store for its viewers.  With talks already circulating of it coming back for next year, you bet we will be around to have an official say on the Rules of Golf within the competition.

For all those interested in learning the Rules of Golf themselves, you can CLICK HERE to view the NCGA Rules of Golf Seminars dates and locations for 2026 and CLICK HERE for the On Course Rules Seminar schedule.  

Always remember, the Rules are there to help you! 

A big special thanks to the NCGA’s own Robert Holbrook (Assistant Manager of Championships) for the Rules of Golf interpretations.