In an age of video replays and ‘super slow mo’ Matt Kucher could count himself unlucky on day two of the Masters.
The World No. 10 began his round well placed at four under par and had dropped to three under after taking a bogey at the downhill par four, 10th hole.
On reaching the infamous par three, 12th hole Kuchar played a soaring shot that completely buried itself just inches from the water guarding ‘Golden Bell’.
However despite the efforts of his playing partners, three cadies and a rules official Kuchar’s ball was not located.
Matt Kuchar discussing the incident with a rules official
Yet TV replay footage, shown some four to five times, clearly revealed where Kuchar’s ball landed even though it could not been seen by those on the ground.
At first thought, Kuchar believed his ball had buried in the bunker guarding the green, and there was the sight of his caddy lying spread-eagle above the bunker trying to see if he could see the ball.
Then the search turned to the bank of the water hazard but to no avail.
Caddy, Lance Bennett on all fours looking for Kuchar's ball
The rules official had no option but to advise Kuchar he had to treat it as a lost ball and advise him to take a penalty drop.
Kuchar walked off with a double bogey ‘five’ to finish with a 75 and drop to a share of 30th place at one under par.
When TV is now used, and in particular Padraig Harrington’s most recent case, to decide whether players have breached the rules or not, one would think TV could also be used in circumstances such as what happened to Kuchar on day two.
The incident was replayed many times on Saturday morning before the start of the third round and close-up shots showed where Kuchar’s ball had buried.
