Amateur Jose Luis Ballester turned heads at The Masters, unfortunately it wasn’t for his golf.
The 21-year-old Spaniard, who attends Arizona State, won the US Amateur Championship in 2024.
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Lacking the course knowledge of his more experienced rivals, he couldn’t find the facilities when he needed to relieve himself mid-round and chose the iconic Rae’s Creek 60 yards from the 13th green instead.
“I completely forgot that we had those restrooms to the left of the tee box,” he said after shooting a four-over 76.
“I’m like, ‘I really need to pee.’ Didn’t really know where to go and since JT [Justin Thomas] had an issue on the green, I’m like, I’m just going to sneak here in the river and probably people would not see me that much and then they clapped for me.
“[It was] probably one of the really loud claps that got today, so that was kind of funny.”
Asked if he feared any repercussions, Ballester didn’t seem concerned.
“They saw me, they saw me. It wasn’t that embarrassing for me. If I had to do it again I’d do it again,” he added.
Ballester sprinted across the fairway after his third shot on the par-five hole.
He got a standing ovation from galleries as he urinated from a ledge into probably the most famous river in golf.
Ballester may be in hot water with officials. Last year Jason Day was chastised over his choice of sweater at the notoriously formal course.
He is only the second Spaniard to win a USGA title after Jon Rahm, who he practiced with at Augusta.
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Ironically, Rahm is a massive advocate of more toilets for players.
“I can tell you right now my priorities are a lot lower than what a lot of people would think,” he said in 2023.
“If I have to — if I go by request — I know this is going to sound very stupid, but as simple as having a freaking Port-a-Potty on every hole.
“I know it sounds crazy, but I can’t choose when I have to go to the bathroom. I’ve told the tour this many times, as simple as that.”
The incident came days after Ballester’s coach Matt Thurmond was removed from the practice area after breaking the golden rule prohibiting players and their trainers from wearing shorts.
“Strolled out onto the Augusta range today with my coach badge. Got removed for wearing shorts,” he posted on X.
“First bogey of the week. Celebrated with an egg salad sandwich. Pants tomorrow.
“I went out on the range without thinking, gave [Kevin Yu] a hug.
“After about one shot and one quick hello, they came out and said, ‘I’m sorry, sir, you can’t be on the range with your shorts.’
“My bad, it was a mistake I made. I want to follow the rules here when I’m at Augusta and do everything right.”
Ballester was in good company for his opening round, playing alongside Thomas and 2024 winner Scottie Scheffler.
The reigning champion is fighting to be the first man to defend the Green Jacket since Tiger Woods in 2002.
After he was briefly upstaged by his less-decorated playing partner, it remains to be seen if officials will hand out any punishment.
Despite his lack of course knowledge, Ballester held the clubhouse lead for amateurs when he completed his round.
The leading non-pro receives the Silver Cup if they make the weekend, hopefully the Spaniard can avoid any more incidents along the way.