THE Spanish golfer who took a leak in Rae’s Creek has issued a grovelling apology – and promised to not do the identical factor if he’s caught quick on the Open.

Jose Luis Ballester, the present US Beginner Champion, initially tried to brush the incident off, after he was noticed urinating into the stream that runs alongside the thirteenth gap at Augusta.

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Ballester, 21, performed the primary two rounds with defending Masters champion Scottie Scheffler and double USPGA winner Justin Thomas.

In order that group was at all times going to be beneath the highlight.

He stated he wanted to take “an emergency pee” on the thirteenth, and was cheered and applauded by Masters spectators, who noticed him dive into the bushes.

He commented: “Yeah, the individuals noticed me. However it was not embarrassing in any respect for me. If I needed to do it once more, I might do it once more.”

However he had modified his tune dramatically by the point he missed the lower, after rounds of 76-78 dropped him to 10 over par.

He was clearly given a behind-the-scenes rollicking by Masters officers, and he insisted he could be on his greatest behaviour when he performs within the US Open in June, and at Portrush the next month.

Ballester certified for all three Majors along with his US Beginner victory in August.

He added: “I already apologised to the membership, and I believe we simply transfer on from this second. It won’t occur once more.

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“I do know there was loads stated about what occurred on social media, however I attempt to keep away from all that.

“A few associates reached out simply to say ‘Hey, you will be tremendous.’ I am nonetheless your good friend. So it is good to have these associates which have your again when the information just isn’t that good about you.”

Ballester, who’s learning at Arizona State College and has been a two-time All American decide, has been hailed because the subsequent nice Spanish golfer.

He practised with former Masters champions Jose Maria Olazabal, Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia forward of his Masters debut – he’s coached by Garcia’s father, Victor, and comes from the identical city as them, Castellon.

However his week at The Masters didn’t begin properly both.

His coach at Arizona State, Matt Thurmond, was thrown off the course on Monday for carrying shorts on the driving vary – a large no-no at Augusta.

He additionally apologised, and was allowed to return the next day – carrying lengthy trousers.

The ASU golf workforce are generally known as the Solar Devils. It isn’t exhausting to see why!

Whereas Ballester left Augusta along with his tail between his legs, two-time champion Berrnhard Langer departed along with his head held excessive, after a courageous try and reclaim his place because the oldest participant to make the lower on the Masters.

Langer, 67, introduced his forty first Masters could be his final earlier than the event started.

The final time he made the lower right here, 4 years in the past, he was the oldest participant to make it to the weekend.

However that distinction was taken from him a few years later by Fred {Couples}, who was just a few months older than the German star.

The lower fell at two over this time, and at even par with 4 holes to play, Langer was in an awesome place to make it.

However his third shot on the par 5 fifteenth cruelly spun off the inexperienced into the lake in entrance of it, costing him a double bogey seven. And a bogey at 18 meant he missed out by only one stroke.

Langer commented: “It was very combined feelings as I walked up 18, as a result of I knew my ball was in a really tough spot for me to make the par I wanted to remain contained in the lower line.

“I couldn’t fairly obtain it, however I used to be nonetheless grateful for the standing ovation I obtained. It was a really particular final two days for me.

“There have been many occasions once I nearly broke into tears. This occasion will at all times have a particular place in my coronary heart.”

{Couples}, 65, additionally went shut to creating the lower once more, earlier than lacking out on 4 over par.

Different massive names leaving early included 5 time Main champion Brooks Koepka – who was one over par earlier than taking an EIGHT on the final – and up to date Masters winners Garcia, Dustin Johnson, and Adam Scott.