Royal Troon …Ernie Els has Lee Westwood to thank after the Englishman trod on the South African’s ball during the opening round of the 145th Open Championship.
Els was at 2-under par in standing on the 11th tee of the hole named ‘The Railway when he put his second shot out-of-bounds from the middle of the fairway over the fence and onto the railway line right of the fairway.
Then at the next Els played a similar poor drive that veered right off the par four 12th and informed playing partners Westwood and Phil Mickelson he would again play a ‘provisional’.
England’s Lee Westwood has Ernie Els ball under his foot after standing on it during a search at the 12th hole on day one of the 2016 Open. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
With Els ball on the right side of the fairway he and long-time caddy, Ricci Roberts went forward in search of his first ball.
Joining in the search was Westwood, a number of marshals, two Media Liaison Officers and myself.
Soon after there was the call from Westwood: “I think I’ve found it. I’ve just stood on.”
Westwood then asked Els what ball he was playing in fact, it was the ball under Westwood’s feet.
And under the Rules of Golf Els was allowed to ‘recreate’ the lie by dropping the ball from where he found the green and then holed a brilliant 15-foot putt for par.
Westwood immediately walked to embrace Els while Mickelson joined in what the ‘Par of the Day’ with high fives for his fellow Open Champion.
