Former Ryder Cup star Paul Casey found himself unable to play on for a while in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Friday after a dog came onto a green and had some fun with his ball.
The incident came on the 12th hole at Kingsbarns as Casey continued his partnership in the celebrity Pro-Am with Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps.
Eventually the dog, apparently local to the area and known as ‘Digby’, decided to move on and the former World Number Three, on in two at the par five, two-putted for a birdie that lifted him to one under par midway through the second day of the tournament.
"The wee dog was roaming around this morning on the first tee when we teed off 10," said Casey. "So we got to the 12th fairway, the dog is running around, and to be honest it just looked like it was a little bit lost.
"So I went over and made friends with it on the back of the 12th green and next thing I know, the thing runs over and picks up my ball. I had about 30 feet for eagle. I was trying to get him to put it in the hole, but then he ran off with it up the hill toward the 13th tee.
"There was a moment when panic set in when I was wondering if I would have to play it where I found it!"
In a star-studded fourball, Casey and Phelps were joined by Ryder Cup Vice Captain Paul McGinley and South African Olympic and Paralympic icon Oscar Pistorius.
The round was also notable for a 159ft eagle putt from former swimmer Phelps, who set a new record for the longest putt ever holed on television on the sixth hole at Kingsbarns.
