Sam Burns sparks golf rules debate at RBC Canadian Open – here's why he escaped penalty

Sam Burns sparked a rules debate during the third round of the RBC Canadian Open when he picked up his ball on the 16th green without placing a marker, leading fans on social media to accuse him of a rules violation. The incident occurred after Burns noticed his ball had moved from its original position without any action on his part following a missed 15-foot par putt, prompting him to inform playing partner Ben James and replace the ball before holing out for bogey. A PGA Tour rules official confirmed Burns' actions were fully permitted under the Rules of Golf, which allow a player to replace a ball that has moved on the putting green without penalty.