On a rare occasion, the Rules of Golf can actually help you. Xander Schauffele found that out on Sunday in Shanghai on the 72nd hole with the tournament in the balance.
After sweating his own approach shot, which went over the 18th green, but stopped atop the tightly-shaved bank, Schauffele watched as his playing partner, Justin Rose didn’t get quite as lucky. Rose’s ball ran through the putting surface and crashed into Schauffele’s ball behind the 18th green, knocking both balls into the water.
What are the chances ?
Don’t worry, @XSchauffele, you get to replace your ball! pic.twitter.com/IJwAX2th3V
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) October 28, 2018
Thankfully, the rules state that Schauffele’s ball that was hit by Rose’s can be replaced to its original position — although Rose still incurred a penalty for hitting into the hazard — and the 2017 Tour Championship winner was able to get up-and-down for birdie, which put him in a playoff with 54-hole leader Tony Finau.
Schauffele birdied the first playoff hole to capture his third PGA Tour victory.
