Zach Johnson's practice mishap worth a laugh

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Zach Johnson lines up a putt on 17 during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, Friday, April 12, 2019, in Augusta, Georgia. [NIGEL COOK/FOR THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE]

Zach Johnson accidentally had a close encounter with a tee marker on the par-5 13th hole at Augusta National during Friday’s second round.

“It was a beauty,” said playing partner Ian Poulter.

Johnson was taking practice swings after teeing his ball up and accidentally clipped the ball with the toe of his driver. It hit the right tee marker (at Augusta they’re in the shape of logs), and bounced a few feet to the left and in front of Johnson.

His startled reaction: “Oh ----.”

Fortunately for Johnson, under Rule 6.2b 5, the ball is not in play when it falls off the tee or is knocked off the tee by the player before he has made a stroke at it. Johnson was allowed to re-tee without penalty, and he went on to make a birdie and shoot 73.

“That was a good one there … that was a first,” Johnson said. “I thought I had done it all by now but now I know I’ve done it all.”

By the time Johnson finished his round, video of the incident had already gone viral on the internet.

He also had the misfortune to do it in front of his other playing partner, Matt Kuchar -- the PGA Tour’s leading practical joker and needler, who has made Johnson a victim of pranks in the past.

Kuchar was asked if it was safe to assume that he will never let Johnson forget it.

“You can safely assume,” he replied.

“He doesn’t let me forget many things,” Johnson said. “But hey, you get what you deserve.”