Ernie Els should share his Masters check with the patrons at 15

Now here’s something you don’t see every day in a major. One of the best players in the world and a pre-Masters favorite, Ernie Els, got a huge and unusual assist from the patrons.

Having already gone in the water once, Els flew the green on the par-5 15^th at Augusta National Golf Club from 80 yards. He then proceeded to semi-blade his pitch shot back to the pin, heading toward the water in front of the green.

Assuming his ball was wet, which is exactly what would have happened in years past, Els, clearly defeated, prepared to drop another ball from the same spot. But just as he was about to let go of a new Callaway, the astute gallery (ahem) patrons, yelled “no” in unison, and Els relented.

As it turned out, there’s a little area of taller grass now in front of the green, which saved Els from going in. Had he dropped another ball, it would have indeed been in play, and instead of a 7, Els could have made a 9 or worse, and might not have made the cut.

As it turned out, Els parred his remaining three holes and made the cut by two, shooting a final-round 73 to end up even par going into the weekend.