Confusion and controversy has struck the Presidents Cup on Friday when Americans Phil Mickelson and Zach Johnson lost the seventh hole "twice" after being penalised in a baffling rules infringement.
The pair stood on the seventh tee at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in Incheon, all square in their four-ball match against Aussie duo Adam Scott and Jason Day.
But by the time they walked off the green they were two holes down - seemingly impossible in match play golf.
It turned out Mickelson had breached a little known match play rule which states you must play the entire round with the same brand and model of golf ball in fourballs and singles.
"I used a firmer Callaway that would go a little bit longer and try to get there in two," explained Mickelson.
"Didn't really think much about it. But I was talking with Jay (Haas, US captain), and I just thought, 'Gosh, I'm going to ask. I'm sure it's not an issue'.
"Turned out it was an issue. Obviously as a player, you need to know that. You need to know the rules.
Johnson made a par five, but Day won the hole for the International team with a birdie four.
Mark Russell, vice-president of rules and competition for the PGA Tour, told reporters why the unusual penalty had been imposed.
"He breached the 'One-Ball Condition'," said Russell. "In this situation, the penalty for breach of this condition is a one-hole adjustment to the state of the match.
"The USA side lost the seventh hole, making the International side one up. At this point, the adjustment penalty of one hole is applied, resulting in the International side being two up through seven holes."
In effect, the US 'lost' the hole twice.
Russell admitted that Mickelson could have continued on the hole but was advised he was disqualified from it by the rules committee in discussion with the match referee Gary Young.
"Okay. I accept total responsibility for that mistake," Russell said.
US captain Jay Haas said the issue was over. "It's just unfortunate that he was told he had to pick up the ball," Haas told reporters.
"Had he been able to play out and make a four and tie the hole, then it would only have been one down instead of two down.
"We talked to Mark Russell, and they (rules committee) acknowledged that it was their error, but again, there's nothing to be done."
The controversy overshadowed a great fightback by the underdog Internationals against the Americans.
Drubbed 4-1 in the opening-day foursomes, captain Nick Price's Internationals rallied in Friday's five four-ball contests, taking the honours three-and-a-half points to one-and-a-half to cut the overall deficit back to 6-4 going into the weekend.
The South African pair of Louis Oosthuizen and Branden Grace were again the heroes for the Internationals, while the four Australians were less successful.
The Australians were paired together and Day and Scott halved their match with Mickelson and Johnson to secure the half-point, before Marc Leishman and Steve Bowditch were beaten by Americans JB Holmes and Bubba Watson 2 up.
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