IT'S one walk a professional golfer hopes he never has to do but Warrnambool's Mark Leishman was forced to complete it at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida on Friday.
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The 35-year-old's day turned from bad to worse in one tee shot on the 521-yard par-five sixth hole of the Bay Hill Golf Course.
The 2017 Palmer winner hit his tee-shot but was unaware it had not crossed the water hazard until he was halfway up the fairway.
It meant the world number 18 had to turn around and walk 274 metres back to the tee to reload for what would be his third shot.
"It's the walk of shame, cruising back to the tee with the tail between the legs. Phil Mickelson (in the group behind) had already teed it up," Leishman said.
"Walking to seventh tee I had a kid say to me, 'How's the water, Leishman?' That caught me off guard."
The Australian, who finished seventh at last year's event, would recover from the double-bogey to finish even on par after hitting four birdies on the back nine.
"Apart from (the fourth through sixth holes) I actually played quite well today," Leishman said of his round of 72.
"I said to Matty (Kelly), 'Let's birdie the two par-fives, get two more and try shoot even'."
Leishman, who sits tied for 49th, was confident of bridging the gap on leader Spain's Cabrera-Bello, who shot a seven-under 65, and American Keegan Bradley (67).
"I never give up, there's always something to play for," he said.
"It's Bay Hill, you can bring yourself back with a couple good rounds and have a good chance to win on Sunday."
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Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
