The Masters Madness: Bro Pees in Creek, Player Gives Live Advice

by:Nick Roush•04/11/25•

RoushKSR

Gary Player sends off a high kick after teeing off at The Masters, via Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

The Masters holds itself to the highest standard in sports. “A tradition unlike any other;” fans are not fans, they are patrons. The back-nine is called the second-nine. Even the slightest allusion to a person’s rear-end is above the standards set by Augusta National, which is why it was shocking to hear that an Arizona State bro took a leak in a creek.

Josele Ballester secured a spot in this year’s field for The Masters by winning the U.S. Amateur. The Arizona State Sun Devil oozes Arizona State Sun Devil energy.

I don’t pretend to know style, but I can unequivocally say that wearing upside-down words on a hat at The Masters is an odd choice.

Ballester wearing the upside down Sun Devils hat at Augusta is some real Arizona State Dbag energy pic.twitter.com/BDbfLjyZzG
— Bunkie Perkins (@BunkiePerkins) April 10, 2025

Ballester did not shake off any Arizona State stereotypes during his opening round 4-over at The Masters. In fact, he steered into the skid. The 21-year-old peed in Rae’s Creek.

“I completely forgot that we had those restrooms to the left of the tee box,” Ballester explained. “And then I’m like, I really need to pee. Didn’t really know where to go, and since JT (Justin Thomas) had an issue on the green, I’m like, I’m just going to sneak here in the river and probably people would not see me that much.’’

People did see. In fact, they clapped. “Probably one of the only claps that I really got today.”

In his defense, few feelings compare to breaking the seal on a golf course. But this ain’t Charlie Vettiner. Dude, you are at AUGUSTA FREAKING NATIONAL. They arrested a guy for stealing a half-cup of sand. What do you think they’ll do with a guy who will urinate in Rae’s Creek?!?! He’s ready to find out.

“If I had to do it again, I’d do it again.”

If Ballester goes missing, you know who’s responsible, but good luck finding enough evidence to prosecute.

Gary Player Talks Mortality at The Masters

Each year, The Masters opens with ceremonial starters. Gary Player shines in the spotlight. The 89-year-old piped one down the fairway, then celebrated a high kick. The 9-time Major Champion credits his longevity to his lifestyle. Player was asked if he could remember the last time he ate fast food.

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“Well, you don’t reach 90 as I do if you eat a bunch of crap. I can tell you that. But that’s your choice. Everybody has a choice. I want to live to 100 because I love people. I love golf. I just love life,” Player said.

He’s not kidding. That’s why he pivoted to talking about his girlfriend.

“I’ve got a young girlfriend — I’ve changed my life. How about that, at 90, finding a girlfriend? Tom is not as old as me, but he’s also found a new one. I’ll tell you what, guys, you all — you or your wife is going to die. One of the spouses are going to die, and it’s not the end of life.”

Wow. That’s blunt. It makes a little more sense when you understand that he lost his wife of 64 years to pancreatic cancer in 2021. Instead of wallowing in sorrow, he’s still happy to be living life to the fullest.

“For so many people, that does happen and they get so disheartened that they don’t think they should continue life. The greatest gift bestowed upon a man or woman is life. So my ambition is to reach 100. So I went to India and I met a gerontologist, and he gave me 11 things to work on, which I adhere to. So I might drop dead tomorrow, but I’m giving it a hell of a try.”

Fortunately, he has not dropped dead, but he did get outshone by another old-timer. Fred Couples holed in for an eagle to send The Master crowd into a frenzy.