The rule of the ball stings the main winner

Brian Harman’s second swing on the Stadium Course’s 10th hole looked good. He ended up about 10 meters away. He had a bird’s eye view.

Then people looked closer.

Wrong ball.

He would hit someone else.

Said analyst Curt Byrum on Golf Channel television: “My God.”

Analyst Billy Ray Brown said, “It’s been a while since I’ve seen that event unfold. That’s a big mistake right there.”

said the analyst Smiley Kaufman: “It’s the worst feeling in the world.”

Ultimately, the error led to a two-stroke penalty Thursday during the first round of play American Express event. On Harman’s fourth shot — from the original tee — his ball bounced off the rocks to the left of the green and landed on the green, and he two-putted for a double bogey.

For clarity, here is the wording of Rule 6.3c (1) which describes what happens when a foul ball is played:

“In stroke play, the player takes the general penalty (two penalty strokes) and must correct the error by continuing to play the original ball by playing it as it is or by taking relief according to the rules. The stroke made with the incorrect ball and any other strokes before the error is corrected (including the strokes made and any additional penalties) by making a stroke to start another hole or, for the last hole of the round, before turning over the card of the results, the player is disqualified.”

So whose ball did Harman hit?

According to the Golf Channel broadcast, it wasn’t partner’s ball Max Homa – he had hit his second shot on the hole ahead of Harman – but it was an amateur ball. This week, the pros are paired with the ams for three rounds. There were theories about how the mistake happened.

“Well, probably every time you play a round of golf,” Kaufman said on the air, “you’re comparing golf balls mostly to the guys you’re playing with in your group. Now for the most part, amateurs are always one ball, so you’re going to compare your golf ball to, say, Brian Harman. Your golf ball.

“So they could have similar markings; we’re not really sure. It could be the same number. But still, the hitter’s job is to know that’s their golf ball. Very, very unfortunate.”

Notably, Harman made a mark on his white Titleist ball with a black Sharpie.

Said Byrum on the air: “I mean, that ball is well marked. … It shouldn’t have had a logo on it.”

Kaufman said, “It had to be the way it was — the logo was down, and they get up there and realize they hit the wrong ball.”

Said Byrum: “Oh my god.”

Instances where the rule would be in play are rare. (A similar incident occurred last year at the Sentry event, where Cam Davis and Will Zalatoris were penalized.) On Thursday, after Harman finished the hole, he tried to make sure he didn’t make the mistake again.

He scored his ball again.

Then he tossed his Sharp into his golf bag.

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