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Topics: Golf
John McDougall
A young golf star who hit the headlines for his antics on the course at the Masters after a 'disrespectful act' earlier this year has now been 'banned' from playing at the Open.
The 2025 edition of the Championship will begin in July 17 at the Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland, after Xander Schauffele emerged victorious in last year's competition.
At this year's Masters tournament, Spanish youngster Joe Luis Ballester competed at the Augusta National Golf Club showcase for the first time.
The 21-year-old ended up missing the half-way cut, but it was one controversial act in particular at Augusta back in April which grabbed the headlines.
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Ballester admitted urinating in a tributary of Rae's Creek to relieve himself, rather than using a toilet.
The Spaniard explained his actions and hoped others would see the funny side of the situation, initially.
He said: "I completely forgot that we had those restrooms to the left of the tee box.
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"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.
"[It was] probably one of the claps today that I got real loud, so that was kind of funny.
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"The [patrons] saw me. It was not embarrassing at all for me. If I had to do it again, I would do it again."
Ballester later apologised for his actions to Augusta National and made it clear he wished to move on from the unfortunate incident, for which he faced calls from fans to be disqualified from the tournament.
That did not come to pass though and he competed until missing the halfway cut by eight shots.
Ballester had been due to appear at The Open Championship this week, having previously been invited to the 2023 tournament which was held at Royal Liverpool Golf Club.
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But Ballester - who earned the place following winning the US Amateur Championship last year - has now lost that spot on the back of a decision he has recently made.
He has chosen to turn professional this summer and opted to join the setup ran by LIV Golf.
The Open is organised by R&A and, as per their rules, Ballester had to remain an amateur player so he could compete via an exemption allowed following his US Amateur Championship win, so he must now forgo his place at the tournament as a consequence.