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Golf star slapped with punishment as fish EATS his ball leaving experts baffled

A fish ate a golf ball during a LIV Golf tournament, leaving Charl Schwartzel without a ball and fans and pundits alike gobsmacked by the freak incident

[Charl Schwartzel during the first round of the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. ]

Charl Schwartzel was given a one-shot penalty due to a freak incident. (Image: Hector Vivas, Getty Images)

South African golfer Charl Schwartzel was left having to take a one-shot penalty after a fish ate his ball during a LIV Golf tournament. The freak incident happened on the seventh hold of the LIV Golf Bedminster tournament which was held at the Trump National Golf Club.

After hitting a drive towards the hold, the ball landed on the green, but then rolled towards the nearby water. As it rolled into the hazard, it took less than a second for a fish to jump up and take it in its mouth, leaving those watching almost speechless.

I have never seen that!" one commentator said. Those watching the action also posted their surprise on social media, with questions over what the next course of action should be.

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"Fish swallowing a golf ball is a new one.. liv golf is taking us places we've never been before," one remarked. "What's the rule on this one?" Another queried.

"A fish steals a golf ball! Seriously this has to be a first.

"It's in a hazard, but also may have been playable. Can he replace it in the hazard since it is animal interference? Or since it's a hazard, too bad?"

While there was confusion over what should happen next, ultimately Schwartzel was slapped with a one-shot penalty. The sanction meant that he scored a bogey for the par three hole and finished the tournament two over par.

Prior to the tournament, Schwartzel had spoken about the challenges posed by the course, although he probably hadn't anticipated fish eating his ball being part of the equation.

"It's a great golf course," he informed SABC Sport.

"It's a golf course that will also suit Martin (Vosrster, his teammate), as he is a long hitter. It's a very long golf course and it can be windy, as it's quite exposed.

"What we've found in the past is it seems to suit the long hitters quite well, so you need to take advantage of the par-fives here, otherwise, you can struggle."

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