Ball switcheroo proves costly for Aussie golfer Davis
Davis and Zalatoris, partnered up for the final round, unintentionally hit each other’s golf ball for their third shots on the par-5 15th hole on the Plantation Course at Kapalua, Hawaii, leading to a two-shot penalty for each player.
“After realising their mistake upon reaching the green, they returned to play from the proper location of their third shot – but now playing their fifth shot rather than their third, per the Rules of Golf,” the PGA Tour said.
Zalatoris took home $US163,333 (about $A262,060) after finishing the tournament tied for 26th, while Davis was tied for 13th and pocketed $US410,000 (about $A657,830).
Had the pair not been penalised, they would have moved up to be tied for 15th and fifth respectively – earning $US283,200 and $US715,625, with Davis missing out on an eye-watering $US306,625.
However, if they had not corrected the mistake, they would have been disqualified from the tournament.
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama won the event with an astounding 35 under, the PGA Tour’s all-time record low score in relation to par for a 72-hole event.Â