AMERICAN golfer Christian Chernock thought he had holed a 35-foot putt from just off the third green in the final round of the Malaysian Open to take the lead.

But the ball had wedged between the flagstick and the edge of the cup and, because a quarter of it was still above the surface, he incurred a one-stroke penalty by bending over and picking it out!

The whole of the ball has to be below the level of the lip and he should have carefully moved the flagstick to allow the ball to fall in.

Rules are rules and Chernock didn't know this one. But he has my sympathy. Well, it's hard enough getting the flamin' ball in the hole in the first place, without being docked a shot for doing it.

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