This post has been created for archival purposes and is all about the controversial foot fault Aaron Gossage called on Rainers Balodis during the final round of the 2026 Pro Worlds.
Players on the lead card:
Silas Schultz, Rainers Balodis, Ricky Wysocki and Aaron Gossage.
The group had a PDGA Marshal, Phill Dilone, who is also the PDGA Competition Director.
What happened?
During the final round of the 2026 PDGA Pro World Championships on Hole 17, Aaron Gossage called a foot fault on fellow competitor Rainers Balodis from Latvia, the call was immediately seconded by the PDGA Marshal Phill Dilone.
Before the foot fault call, Balodis was in the lead, with Silas Schultz trailing by just two strokes.
Balodis was given a stance violation and received a +1 stroke penalty. He ended up carding a bogey on the hole, while Schultz carded a birdie, erasing the two-stroke deficit in a single hole. They both birdied Hole 18 and went to a playoff.
Balodis ultimately lost to Schultz in the playoff.
Rainers’ Round 5, Hole 17 PDGA live scorecard:
Video of the incident, was it a foot fault? You tell me…
Aftermath and backlash:
The internet, obviously, went BERZERK! The officiating by Aaron Gossage was instantly deemed the most controversial call in disc golf history.
Tens of thousands of disc golf fans from all across the world went online to share their thoughts and analysis of the whole situation. Facebook disc golf groups such as Disc golf discussion, Disc Golf Fanatics and many more were flooded with posts about the controversial call.
Things got so out of hand on the r/discgolf sub-reddit that the moderators had to ban and mute all posts and discussions regarding the foot fault controversy.
Memes of Aaron Gossage saying, “I don’t want to be that guy…” started popping up and much-much more.
But by the looks of it, most fans agreed that Rainers’ foot fault was “too close to call.”
The controversial foot fault call also brought up other violations that were not called, as fans immediately started looking for more violations that were not called.
Silas Schultz stepping on his disc on Hole 4 during Round 3 of the 2026 Pro Worlds. (This was not called a violation.)
Rainers Balodis throwing out of the bush during the final round, but leaning and clearing the brush in front of him before throwing. (was not called a violation)
Rainers Balodis approach to the green on the final round, fans online argued that this was also a foot fault. (was not called a violation)
After the initial uproar by fans, who spectated the event through live broadcast, came the second wave of upset fans, who experienced the controversy through post-produced coverage.
More memes, more angles of the foot fault and other violations that went uncalled. Followed by tens of podcasts discussing the same thing over and over again.
“Not much more to add” & “awful look” pretty much sums it all up that took place during the final round of the 2026 Pro Worlds. 🤷♂️
Furthermore, a lot of touring pros posted about the topic:
Ian Anderson from CCDG (former DGN commentator) on the controversy at Pro Worlds and how it ended:
Anderson: “I’m disgusted… Unbelievable… The moment is just ruined… It’s awful. I freaking hated the whole thing.”
PDGA released a statement: Final Round of MPO at 2026 Pro Worlds
The Professional Disc Golf Association issues the following statement regarding the events on hole 17 of the final round of the 2026 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships.
- Disc golf is a self-officiated sport. Players are expected to call violations when they occur, 801.02.E, and penalty throws generally require a player’s call to be seconded by another member of the group or a Tournament Official, 801.02.H.2.
- During the final round, Rainers Balodis #158640 threw an approach shot to hole 17’s basket. At that time, Aaron Gossage #35449 called a stance violation. Specifically, Mr. Gossage observed that, at the time the disc was released, the placement of Mr. Balodis’s left foot violated 802.07.A.
- PDGA Director of Competition Phill Diloné #70955, who was serving as the PDGA Marshal for the card, immediately seconded Mr. Gossage’s call by saying “that is the correct call.” The other players in the group stated that they were not looking.
- As required by 808.C, the group confirmed the hole scores at the tee of hole 18, including a penalty throw issued to Mr. Balodis under 802.07.C. and the Marshal asked if all scores were correct. The group affirmed the scores and teed off. The Tournament Director, Nate Heinold #49340, was present, but did not participate in the call. Mr. Balodis had the ability to appeal to Mr. Heinold under 801.03.A, but did not do so.
- The competition continued and concluded that same day. By rule, the call stands and, under 801.03.C and 808.G, is no longer appealable or reviewable.
- The PDGA congratulates our two 2026 World Champions and all our other competitors at Pro Worlds.
Read more – https://www.pdga.com/announcements/pdga-statement-final-round-mpo-2026-pro-worlds
Aaron Gossage‘s rundown of what happened at the 2026 Pro Worlds final round:
Conclusion:
In short, the stance violation ruling stands and Silas Schultz is the 2026 PDGA Pro World Champion, Rainers Balodis took 2nd place.
2026 PDGA MPO World Champion, Silas Schultz! 🌎🏆
With his 2nd place finish at the Pro Worlds, Rainers Balodis has qualified for the 2026 USDGC (Major) and is playing at the event.
In addition, Balodis earned a $20,000 paycheck at the 2026 Pro Worlds, more than doubling his PDGA career earnings.
Earnings before Worlds: $19,509.00
Earnings after Worlds: $39,509.00
Innova cleverly launched Rainers Balodis’ Worlds Commemorative disc, which immediately sold out. They also stated: “Every disc sold directly supports Rainers’s journey as he continues to grow, compete, and chase he’s goals on the world stage.”
The support from disc golf fans for Latvian player Rainers Balodis was immense! For example, he had roughly 1,000 Instagram followers before Worlds. He is now at 13,000 after the event has concluded.
Fans, friends, family and local media welcomed Rainers Balodis back home at Riga Airport like a true hero!
What’s your final verdict on this incredibly controversial call?
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