Bubba Watson argues with official about ant hill on course

“OK, but I have a question for you”, a seemingly annoyed Watson said. It is an animal, right?

On the No. 5 hole, Watson got into an animated discussion with a rules official about whether he could take a free drop after the ball landed on an anthill. You may lift the ball and drop it within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, but not nearer the hole than the nearest point of relief. Since the animal…it is an animal, you agree with that?

However, the real highlight of Watson’s round (so far, that is) happened on the hole before. After a conversation with the rules committee, the official delivered the verdict: play it as it lies. So how would it not be – it was either an ant bed, or it’s an animal digging a hole.

Rules official:“Well it’s not classed as a burrowing animal.”

“Wait. So although they dig within the floor they’re not thought-about burrowing?”

Rules official:“Unless, unless – (hands up) well we wouldn’t care less – but it’s only if they’re unsafe ants, like the biting, fire ant ones”. Swinging so hard that he came out of his stance at the end, Watson managed to sail the ball just over the backside of the green.