Masters 2025: Jose Luis Ballester admits urinating in Rae’s Creek on Augusta National debut

When making your Masters debut you’d think you would ensure you are on your best behaviour.

Eyes are everywhere to make sure rules and etiquette aren’t broken at Augusta National.

So you wonder what the Augusta National committee will make of Spanish amateur Jose Luis Ballester’s admission that he took relief in Rae’s Creek during Thursday’s opening round.

No, not relief in the golfing sense of taking a penalty stroke.

Ballester relieved his bladder on the 13th hole.

“I completely forgot that we had those restrooms to the left of the tee box,” the 21-year-old explained.

“I really need to pee. I didn’t really know where to go, and since Justin Thomas had an issue on the green, I’m like, I’m just going to sneak here in the river.

“Probably people would not see me that much – and then they clapped for me.”

Ballester qualified to the play at the Masters after winning the US Amateur at Hazeltine last year.

As tradition dictates, it meant he was paired with reigning Masters champion Scottie Scheffler at Augusta National and played in an eye-catching trio completed by former world number one Thomas.

Ballester endured a difficult start with two bogeys and a double bogey in his opening five holes, before steadying the ship on his way to carding a four-over 76.

After birdieing the iconic par-three 12th, he conceded the other notable moment in his round came on the 13th.

“[It was] probably one of the claps today that I got real loud, so that was kind of funny,” he added.

“The [patrons] saw me. It was not embarrassing at all for me. If I had to do it again, I would do it again.”

Whether Augusta officials – known for their demands and implementation of strict rules – see it as a laughing matter remains to be seen.