Former champion Zach Johnson suffered the embarrassment of knocking his ball off the tee during his practice swing at the 13th tee – to the hilarity of Ian Poulter and Matt Kuchar.
He clipped his ball with the tip of his driver and it hit the marker and did not leave the tee box. Because he did not intend to hit the ball, there was no penalty except the laughs of his playing partners and he sheepishly replaced his ball.
Luckily for the American, the 13th tee box on Amen Corner is the most isolated spot on the course with no spectators within 150 yards.
Poulter said: “It was a beauty. It was quite funny, because he backed off and said: 'No, no, guys, it's okay, you can laugh'. It was pretty funny. I mean, we were trying to hold it in, but we had to let it out. It was great.”
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Johnson finished his round three over for the tournament but will contest the second half of the Major.
"I was caught off guard," Johnson said. "I actually hit a really good tee shot after that, so I think I recovered nicely."
Johnson ended his second round with a 73, a slight improvement over his day-one score of 74, as he aims for a repeat of his Masters-winning performance 12 years ago.
As for repeating his 13th-hole gaffe today?
"I don't think I could do it again if I even tried," Johnson said.
