Jose Luis Ballester gained the 2024 U.S. Beginner, which granted him a spot on the Masters this yr, however the 21-year-old’s first time competing within the main on the famed course was overshadowed by a second throughout the first-round motion.
Ballester seemingly admitted that he had urinated in Rae’s Creek at Amen Nook at Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership on Thursday. The Spaniard mentioned he “utterly forgot that we had these restrooms to the left of the (thirteenth) tee field,” and after taking part in accomplice Justin Thomas “had a difficulty on the inexperienced,” he mentioned he had taken benefit.
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Jose Luis Ballester performs his shot from the primary tee throughout the first spherical of the Masters Match. (Peter Casey-Imagn Pictures)
However because the hours and days following the incident in query handed, Ballester started making it clear that he was able to put the now-infamous second behind him.
“I already apologized to the membership, and I feel we simply transfer on from this second,” Ballester responded to questions on whether or not Augusta Nationwide officers had spoken to him about his actions.
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Ballester additionally competes within the collegiate ranks for the Arizona State Solar Devils. He arrived at Augusta Nationwide on Thursday carrying a hat that mentioned “Solar Devils” the wrong way up.
Jose Luis Ballester tees off on no. 5 throughout the first spherical of the Masters Match. (Kyle Terada-Imagn Pictures)
Friday didn’t go in keeping with plan for Ballester, as he ended up lacking the lower. However, he had a optimistic takeaway and took benefit of the chance to study from Thomas and his different accomplice, Scottie Scheffler, who has gained two of the final three Masters.
“These guys are right here particularly due to how good they’re across the greens, how a lot data they’ve, how good they’re at perceiving the slopes and studying greens,” Ballester mentioned.
“I hit many good pictures with drivers and irons each days, however what I felt that these guys are in a very [different] degree from the place I’m is across the greens.”
Jose Luis Ballester and Justin Thomas shake arms on the 18th inexperienced throughout the first spherical of the Masters Match. (Michael Madrid-Imagn Pictures)
Final yr, novice Neal Shipley spent his last spherical with five-time winner Tiger Woods.
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Ballester acknowledged the disappointing outcome on the match, however he additionally expressed optimism about his future. “It was not an amazing week for me in that side, but additionally wanting ahead to the subsequent alternatives that I get to see how I evaluate myself with them,” he mentioned.
As of Saturday afternoon, Justin Rose was atop the Masters Leaderboard at 8 underneath par. In the meantime, Scheffler was working to maneuver out of a four-way tie for fifth place as third-round motion performed out.
Fox Information’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.
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