Adam Hadwin, needing win to earn tour card, hit with two-shot penalty during KFT Championship for playing from wrong spot

Adam Hadwin needs a win at this week’s Korn Ferry Tour Championship to earn his PGA Tour card. A mistake during the opening round might put that tall task out of reach.

Hadwin self-reported that he accidentally played a ball from the wrong spot, getting assessed a two-shot penalty in the process.

Per Golf Channel’s Brentley Romaine, Hadwin was able to pick up his ball at the Federal Club’s par-3 second hole due to preferred lies being in effect. Hadwin took a club-length relief, which he was allowed to do during last month’s PGA Tour Biltmore Championship; unfortunately, players are only allowed a scorecard’s length relief at the KFT Championship.

After seeing one of his competitors take shorter relief the following hole, Hadwin notified rules officials, changing a par to a double bogey. He ultimately finished with a one-under 70.

But the pain of the two-shot penalty was felt Friday thanks to a five-under start to his round through 10 holes, which would have put Hadwin in a tie for the lead without Thursday’s infraction. Hadwin signed for a four-under 67, currently in a tie for 24th.

Hadwin, 38, lost full status on tour last season, making just 12 starts in 2026. He’s currently 184th on the FedEx Cup Fall list. He entered this week’s KFT Championship 54th on the feeder circuit’s season-long standings thanks to a runner-up finish at the Panama Championship in February.