Golf fans call for Masters star to be banned after 'unacceptable' act leaves them appalled

Golf fans have called for a star to be banned after he urinated into Rae's Creek at Augusta National. Jose Luis Ballester endured during Thursday's first round at the notoriously strict golf course.

The amateur, 21, played alongside current champion and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, and shot a four-over 76 after a short break on the legendary par-five inbetween shots. After hitting his third shot on the 13th hole, Ballester sprinted to the water to relieve himself before returning to the group. The Spaniard believed he had cover from the grandstand but that was not the case, as fans spotted him urinating before cheering and chanting his name. He later nonchalantly said in an interview back at the clubhouse: "Well, I completely forgot that we had those restrooms to the left of the tee box, I'm like: 'I really need to pee'. I 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. Probably one of the claps that I really got today real loud, so that was kind of funny."

When asked if he was concerned about being reprimanded, the youngster replied: "They saw me. It was not embarrassing at all for me. If I had to do it again, I would do it again."

It remains to be seen whether the US Amateur champion will face any action from Augusta officials, with the only precedent being golfers facing financial punishments for similar incidents at last year's PGA Tour feeder league - the Korn Ferry Tour.

However, Ballester's actions have angered a section of golf fans, who took to social media to call for his ban following his "unacceptable" behaviour. "He needs to come out with an apology. Laughing about disrespecting one of the most famous courses in the world. Insane," one X user wrote.

Another tweeted: "Obviously, if a patron did that, he'd be kicked out for life. Many have been kicked out for far less. He's got to go. Absolutely unacceptable."

A third fumed: "I legit am the most anti-tradition guy you know but peeing on the property of Augusta National SPECIFICALLY in Rae's Creek should get you removed. Just blatant disrespect to the standard that has been set."

Meanwhile, others commented: "If I was running the Masters I'd disqualify his a**. This is unacceptable." And: "Banned for life!"

Ballester's cap had already irked some, having been adorned with the words 'Sun Devils' in homage to Arizona State University, where he played college golf. The point of contention, however, was that it was upside-down, owing to a trend that began in 2020 when the Spanish-born golfer was merely a teenager.