Abraham Ancer ‘gutted’ after two-stroke penalty for inadvertent bunker error at Masters

Mexican golfer Abraham Ancer says he is “gutted” after having a two-stroke penalty assessed for an unintentional bunker error in the first round of the Masters.

Video footage showed that Ancer “unknowingly” touched the sand in a bunker on the 15th hole on Thursday.

In a statement from James B. Hyler, Jr., chairman of the Augusta National’s competition committee, because the touching of the sand was “deemed visible to the naked eye” and the world No. 31 signed his scorecard, a penalty was handed out.

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“On the 15th hole during Thursday’s first round, Abraham Ancer unknowingly touched the sand before making his third stroke from the greenside bunker,” the statement said.

“After Mr. Ancer had signed his scorecard and exited the scoring area, video evidence was reviewed by the Committee regarding a potential breach of Rule 12.2b(1), which states that touching sand in a bunker right behind the ball results in a penalty. The touching of the sand was deemed visible to the naked eye. Had this not been the case, the video evidence would have been disregarded and a penalty would not have been applied.”

Having finished with a bogey six on the par-five 15th hole, it became a triple-bogey eight with the penalty and his one-over 73 became a three-over 75.

“I was just informed that I have been assessed a 2 stroke penalty for unintentionally grazing the sand in my backswing on hole 15,” Ancer wrote on Twitter on Thursday, accompanied with a video of his transgression. “While I’m gutted, I can’t wait to get after it tomorrow.”

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Hideki Matsuyama celebrates with the green jacket after winning the Masters golf tournament on Sunday, April 11. He finished one shot ahead of Will Zalatoris.

Matsuyama celebrates with his caddie, Shota Hayafuji, on the 18th green Sunday.

Matsuyama lines up a putt on the 18th green Sunday.

Xander Schauffele bites his club on the 16th hole Sunday. He hit the ball in the water there, effectively ending his hopes of winning the tournament.

Kevin Na plays a shot from a bunker on Sunday.

Matsuyama plays a shot from a bunker.

Schauffele hits a tee shot on Sunday.

An attendant adjusts scores from behind a leaderboard on Saturday.

Matsuyama finished with a 7-under 65 on Saturday to take a four-shot lead into Sunday's final round.

Spectators walk to cover on Saturday after play was temporarily suspended because of inclement weather.

Matt Jones reacts on the 13th hole as a warning horn was sounded to suspend play on Saturday.

Justin Thomas hits a tee shot on Saturday.

Justin Rose eyes a par putt on the first hole Friday. Rose held a one-shot lead heading into the weekend.

People spread out from one another as they watch Tommy Fleetwood putt on the 16th green on Friday.

Bryson DeChambeau, last year's US Open champion, plays a shot on the 13th hole Friday.

Former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, left, watches the action along with fellow Augusta National member Heidi Ueberroth on Friday.

Former Masters champion Jordan Spieth walks past the azaleas on the sixth fairway Friday.

Lee Elder acknowledges applause as he joins Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus as honorary starters on Thursday. In 1975, Elder became the first African American to play in the Masters.

Dustin Johnson, last year's Masters champion, plays a shot on the second hole on Thursday.

Rose hits out of a bunker on the second hole on Thursday. He shot a 7-under 65 to take a four-shot lead after the first round.

This was the first time in two years that the Masters had allowed spectators on the course.

Spieth hits a tee shot on Thursday.

Four-time major winner Brooks Koepka had knee surgery less than a month ago, but he was on the course for the first round.

Rory McIlroy hits out of the rough on the sixth hole Thursday.

Two-time Masters champ Bubba Watson hits out of a bunker on the first hole Thursday.

Fans watch some of the first-round play.

Max Homa walks down the 18th fairway on Thursday.

Joaquin Niemann looks for his ball on the 10th hole Thursday.

During a practice round on Wednesday, Ian Poulter takes a Hogan Bridge selfie with his playing partners and their caddies.

McIlroy and Thomas walk across the Sarazen Bridge during a practice round on Tuesday.

Azaleas frame the 16th green on Monday.

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Rules for televised competitions outlined in 2017 by the United States Golf Association’s (USGA) state that it will “assign one or more of its officials to monitor the video broadcast.”

“This monitoring role will include both a proactive review to identify and help resolve potential Rules issues as they arise, and a responsive review when needed, such as to help referees on the course who ask for information on a real-time basis and to help the Committee when it is assessing issues based on something that happened at an earlier time.”

Ancer is in a group with early leader Hideki Matsuyama as well as Harris English for the opening two rounds.