How much is it worth when integrity costs you a championship or millions of dollars? Integrity is still crucial in professional golf since each stroke can determine whether a player wins or loses. This was recently shown by Sahith Theegala, who cost himself a potential $2.5 million in prize money at the Tour Championship by calling a two-stroke penalty on himself.

It is reminiscent of Davis Riley ‘s moment of truth at the 2013 U.S. Junior Amateur, when he changed the outcome of his match against Scottie Scheffler with a self-imposed penalty. This story comes full circle with Riley’s recent incident at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, which serves as a reminder of the timeless importance of honesty in golf. Riley showed perseverance in the face of the setback, cutting at 5-under par with a clutch eagle to end the round. And while that eagle may have kept him in the tournament, Riley’s next move truly defined his round.

Integrity over victory: Davis Riley’s unyielding code

In a recent interview at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, reflecting on that event and stressing the value of honesty in golf, Riley stated, “For sure. I love this game, and that’s one of the beautiful things about this game is the integrity all of us PGA TOUR players and golfers uphold that standard to ourself. So I think it’s really important to protect the field and play the game with a high integrity.” This statement came following his second round, where Riley discovered that he had unintentionally employed his distance-measuring device’s slope feature, which is forbidden per competition regulations. Unhesitatingly reporting the transgression, he was given a two-stroke penalty that temporarily put him outside the projected cut line.

This selfless gesture is reminiscent of a significant incident in 2013, when Riley, then 16 years old, called a penalty on himself when his ball shifted as he addressed a putt while playing against Scottie Scheffler in the U.S. Junior Amateur final. He lost the match due to the penalty, which resulted in a bogey. 

Riley has shown a dedication to the sport’s moral principles in the past and present, even when it comes to his own success. His choice to self-report is a striking reminder of the principles that characterize golf, even in light of the possible consequences. But this wasn’t the first time Riley’s conscience had cost him dearly—it all began over a decade ago on junior golf’s biggest stage.

A legacy of honesty: The 2013 U.S. Junior Amateur

Riley has always been honest, and his recent act of honesty is just the latest in a long line of personal values. When 16-year-old Riley noticed his ball had moved after addressing it in the 2013 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship final against Scottie Scheffler, he called a one-stroke penalty on himself. He lost to Scheffler 3 and 2 in part because of this self-imposed penalty.

In retrospect, Riley said, “When something like that happens, you just have to own it up and that’s just part of the game, the integrity of the game.” His steadfast dedication to integrity has emerged as a hallmark of his work, despite setbacks. These incidents demonstrate Riley’s deep regard for golf’s customs and emphasis on individual responsibility. Riley’s acts stand as a beacon of ethics in a time when peer and fan pressure can sometimes overwhelm ethical issues due to competitive pressures.

Davis Riley’s unwavering commitment to ethics, even at great personal cost, sets an admirable precedent in a sport where character is just as important as skill. His performances at the 2013 U.S. Junior Amateur and the CJ Cup Byron Nelson epitomize the essence of golf and serve as a reminder that the greatest lasting triumphs in the sport are those that are based on honor and integrity.