The eyes of the golfing world are on Scotland as the country kicks off a week of action with the Scottish Open.
And two of the sport’s biggest stars were involved in a remarkable incident.
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The top professional golfers are at the stunning Renaissance Club in North Berwick this week.
As always, the Scottish Open takes centre stage the week before The Open Championship.
The last major of 2024 is also taking place here Scotland This year, Troon will host the 152nd Open.
This is the first time the spectacular Ayrshire ground has hosted the event since 2016.
But for now, all eyes are on the Scottish Open.
Rory McIlroy, 2023 Open winner Brian Harman, Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood are among the big names in this star-studded field.
Two-time major champion Collin Morikawa, former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama and world number four Ludwig Aberg played together in one of the bigger groups in the afternoon.
And two of these big stars were involved in a very remarkable incident on the 8th hole.
Morikawa, the 2021 Open champion, had already reached the green with his approach.
European Ryder Cup hero Aberg was the next to play his second shot onto the green.
It was a meat and drinks event on a par-four hole for one of the world’s top players.
Aberg’s ball headed nicely towards the green – but then chaos ensued.
Something happened that you literally never saw coming.
The Swede incredibly – and brutally – struck the ball at Morikawa.
A ball bounced off the right side of the green and went away.
The second ball – Morikawa’s – went in the opposite direction at a rapid speed.
Both balls went outside the putting surface.
The audience was stunned to see this dramatic moment.
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One described it as “statistically one of the most unlikely shots ever”.
The other said: “What are the chances of that?”
An ESPN commentator said: “It’s a one in 10,000 chance.”
When the initial surprise subsided, fans were left wondering what the rules would be in this scenario.
Well, the Rules of Golf explain it.
Rule 11.1 states: “No penalty shall be imposed on any player if your moving ball accidentally strikes any person or external object, including you, another player or any of your caddies or equipment.”
So it was a relief for Aberg that he escaped with a penalty.
There would have been no relief, though, had he had to play his third shot from exactly where the ball had come to a stop – well off the green and in the rough.
He eventually made bogey on the hole.
However, Morikawa was able to reposition his ball from the position it had been in before Aberg’s ball hit the green.
The American player made birdie on the hole.
Read more at The Scottish Sun
However, the rule would have been different if Aberg’s shot had been played on the green, rather than off the green.
If a shot played from the green – a putt – hits another player’s ball, a two-stroke penalty will be imposed.
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