AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Maybe gift shopping really is out of control at the Masters.
Xander Schauffele’s tee shot on the par-5 eighth hole Thursday at Augusta National ended up in somebody’s merchandise bag, just a few feet to the left of the fairway. Schauffele used a tee to mark the spot, removed the ball and then handed off the bag to a woman in a pink and white outfit.
He was able to play on without penalty and made par.
“It just flew straight into the bag. It was a great break. That bounce would’ve put me in the pine straw and who knows if I would’ve had a shot to hit up the hill,” Schauffele said after shooting a 2-under 70 in the first round.
“So thanks to the lady on 8,” he said.
Schauffele shouldn’t sell himself short for his own role in a solid first day. After his tee shot on the par-4 ninth ended up in some pine straw and his second shot found a bunker, he splashed out to within inches of the hole for a par.
He made three birdies and two bogeys on the back nine.
“A little bit of a mixed bag,” he said.
No pun intended, presumably.
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