With his US PGA Tour playoffs future in the balance Jason Day had already watched his tee shot head into the woods and his attempted recovery bounce off a tree into further trouble when the golf gods turned nasty.
When the 24-year-old Queenslander came to the seventh tee – his 16th hole in the second round of the Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston – he was three-under-par and in reasonable position as he chases the top 20 result he needs to advance to the next event.
He saw the par five as the perfect opportunity to push further up the leaderboard but sent ball right into the trees.
After finally getting back into the fairway after three shots he was hit with a cruel blow, his ball moved just a few millimetres after he addressed it, costing him a one-stroke penalty.
The often-debated rule in golf could end up being the difference between survival and elimination for Day come Monday.
He carded a double bogey seven and finished the day at one-under and in a tie for 38th, now needing a hot finish in the final two rounds to survive.
“I just wanted to hit it harder so I could reach in two but it turned into a bit of a nightmare,” Day said.
“My ball barely moved but it still moved which is unfortunate.
“But I have two more days to tidy up my long game and if I can do that I’m confident I can make a few putts and get through to next week.”
Day has history on his side at TPC Boston having claimed a third place and runner-up finish in the last two years at the course.
“While there is life there is hope,” he said. “There are 36 holes left and a lot of birdies out there.”
I have shot a couple of low ones around here before so I am hoping it gets tougher the next few days so I can move up the leaderboard a lot quicker.”
Aaron Baddeley, the other Australian in danger of being eliminated, also struggled in the second round.
Like Day, the Victorian needs roughly a top 20 finish to get to Indianapolis next week. But a three-over 74 dropped him 36 spots into a tie for 53rd at even par.