Brian Harman’s second swing on the tenth hole of the Stadium Course proved to be a good one. He finished about ten feet. He looked like a bird.
Then they look around our people.
The wrong ball.
He had beaten another.
Said analyst Curt Byrum on Golf Channel radio: “My God.”
Commentator Billy Ray Brown said: “It’s been a while since I’ve seen that scene. It’s a big mistake right there.”
Commentator Smylie Kaufman said: “It’s the worst feeling in the world.”
Ultimately, the mishit resulted in a two-stroke penalty Thursday in the first round of the American Express event. On Harman’s fourth stroke – from the original ball position – his ball hit the left side of the green and landed on the green, and he made two bogeys.
For clarity, here is the wording of Law 6.3c (1) that describes what happens when a foul ball is played:
“In stroke play, the player incurs the standard penalty (two penalty strokes) and must correct the mistake by continuing to play the first ball by playing it as it lies or taking relief under the rules. A stroke made with the wrong ball and any other strokes before the mistake is corrected (including strokes made and any additional penalty strokes from playing that ball) do not count. round, before returning their score card, the player is ineligible.”
Who is the ball hit by Harman?
According to the Golf Channel broadcast, it wasn’t the ball played by teammate Max Homa — he hit his second shot on the hole before Harman — but it was a beginner’s ball. This week, the pros were paired with the ams in three rounds. As for how the mistake happened, there were theories.
“Well, every time you play golf,” Kaufman said on the radio, “you’re comparing golf balls especially with the guys you’re playing with on your team. Now for the most part, beginners are always together, so you’re going to compare your golf ball to, say, Brian Harman is going to show Max Homa his ball to compare your golf today.
“So they could have had the same marks; we’re not really sure. It would have been the same number. But anyway, it’s a hitter’s job to know what his golf ball is. So, very unfortunate.”
Notably, Harman marked his white Titleist ball with a black Sharpie.
Said Byrum on the radio: “I mean, that ball was marked well. … It shouldn’t have been labeled.”
Said Kaufman: “It should have been what it was – the logo was down, and they get up there and realize they hit the wrong ball.
Said Byrum: “Oh my God.”
Events where the law will be played are rare. (A similar incident happened last year at the Sentry event, where Cam Davis and Will Zalatoris were penalized.) Thursday, after Harman finished the pit, he tried to make sure he wouldn’t make the same mistake again.
He also marked his ball.
Then he dropped his Sharpie into his golf bag.
“>
