Graeme McDowell bizarrely avoided being stung by a bumble bee and a one stroke penalty on the final day of the Masters.
McDowell went to brush a rather large bee from his ball on the fourth green but in the process knocked both his ball and marker out of the way.
He called a penalty on himself in taking a bogey ‘5’ but then approached in walking to the sixth tee by European Tour Chief Referee John Paramor and former R & A long-time Secretary, Sir. Michael Bonallack.
Graeme McDowell avoids being stung by a one stroke penalty on the final day of the Masters after brushing a bumble bee off his golf ball.
The pair advised McDowell under a recent new rule there is now no penalty in ‘dangerous-like’ situations and with the former U.S. Open changing his score on the fourth to a par.
It gave McDowell an eventual final round 73 for a six over par tally and a then clubhouse share of 52nd.
“It was a very clumsy thing to do but it was explained to the bumble bee as an insert is a loose impediment,” he said.
“But then I have to say it could have been the first time I have been stung by a loose impediment (smiling).”
McDowell’s effort this week was only the third occasion in eight Masters he’s made the cut.
“It’s frustrating not to do better but that’s golf and we will move on,” he said.
“So I am certainly not going to beat my head against the wall trying to adapt my golf game to win a green jacket, and surely at the detriment of the rest of my season.
“Playing here is like when you think you have got one up on the course, it takes two back.
“So while I walk away a little disappointed it didn’t help throwing away shots like confetti.
“But it was never really about this week for me and is it about the bigger picture stuff this season.”
McDowell was then heading south-east to Hilton Head and Thursday’s starting RBC Heritage and a venue where he tasted success in 2013.
Fellow Ulsterman Darren Clarke was bound for Boca Grande on Florida’s Gulf of Mexico shoreline and a short fishing holiday sharing a six over par total and a last day 72 in what was his 13th Masters.
And for a second day running Europe’s Ryder Cup Captain went within centimeters of an ace and on this occasion at the par three 12th hole.
“While I am very happy with the way I am playing I don’t feel anyone ever gets this course worked out as they have have firmed up the greens massively and that will make for interesting viewing this afternoon,” he said.
“But for now I’m going tarpon fishing for three days. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time.
“Then it’s off to Dubai on Sunday for the Icons Cup and I have four days at home before going to Vegas to watch the Mayweather/Pacquiao fight, and then to the Players Championship.
