According to Rule 17.1c, “If a player’s ball has not been found and it is known or virtually certain that the ball came to rest in a penalty area: The player may take penalty relief under Rule 17.1d or 17.2.” Walker and the rule official ruled out the possibility of the ball being stuck in trees or landing in the water. However, they kept trying to figure out the location of the ball. Because that would determine a lot of things. If the ball landed in the water, Walker could exercise three forms of relief. Namely, stroke-and-distance, back-on-the-line, or lateral.

But to make sure, ‘virtual certainty’ was required. There should be physical evidence of the ball landing in the penalty area. Because if the ball wasn’t found in water and they ruled trees out, the golfer will have to start from his original point. That would be a major setback and would affect his overall game. But, when you are determined, the universe sends you relief, and this time it was in the form of the 2022 Masters Champion, Scottie Scheffler.

Scottie Scheffler –  the angel in disguise

After a lengthy search, everyone came to a conclusion that the ball must have crossed the penalty area. But what if the ball was lost? That wouldn’t have ended well for Walker. But then entered Scottie Scheffler, subsequently saving the day. He walked over to the tree from where the search began in the first place. He pointed up and called out to Dottie and asked, “Were they saying it crossed on that side? It had to hit this tree. I think it hit this one. It was too high to hit those.”

After a brief discussion, everyone agreed the ball was not lost. As a result, Walker was given a lay with a chance to hit the green or go past it because of the drop. The pro golfer chipped on and dropped a 7-footer for a bogey six. Pepper said on the broadcast that it was lucky to receive the “vote of confidence” about where the ball actually landed. Due to Scheffler’s meddling, Walker was saved. He could have focused on his next shot, but instead, he chose to help a fellow player. It was the ultimate showcase of the sportsmanship by Scheffler.

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What are your thoughts about the whole incident? And do you think Scheffler did the right thing? Please share your views in the comments below.