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Australian Open golf: Shot in the arm for Geoff Ogilvy

Golf balls end up in some very strange places, even when the world’s top players are on the course.

Geoff Ogilvy speaks with a spectator after the Australian’s drive landed in the man’s torso.
Geoff Ogilvy speaks with a spectator after the Australian’s drive landed in the man’s torso.

Golf balls end up in some very strange places, even when the world’s best are having a hit.

Two years ago at the US Tour Championship, Rory McIlroy was confronted with the situation of having to retrieve his ball from a fan’s pocket after an errant drive.

Sergio Garcia had to take a drop when his ball landed in a marshal’s pocket at last month’s Ryder Cup. On the same day, Brooks Koepka’s ball came to rest on top of a spectator’s backpack.

And at Royal Sydney yesterday, 2006 US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy found his ball in a tricky spot midway through his first round at the Australian Open.

Ogilvy hit a wayward drive to the right off the 4th tee (his 13th hole) and when he went looking for it, he found that a spectator had elbowed in on the action ...

The ball had bounced off another fan before landing snugly in the crook of his right elbow. The innocent bystander was instructed by the marshals not to move until the player arrived.

Ogilvy was unperturbed; he placed a tee in the ground at the man’s feet and then took a drop once the ball was handed to him.

He went on to par the hole, and finished with a two-under 70.

Read related topics:Australian Open Tennis

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/golf/australian-open-golf-shot-in-the-arm-for-geoff-ogilvy/news-story/f01e546942d6dbf2887265d3b2b8d8e4