Spaniard Ballester seeks relief, urinating into Augusta's iconic Rae's Creek

The US Amateur champion caused quite the opening day stir at the Masters as he gets caught short at the 13th

SPANISH SLASHER: Jose Luis Ballester, of Spain, walks up the 10th fairway during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

In a tradition unlike anything that’s ever happened in 89 Masters, young Spanish amateur Jose Luis Ballester stopped on the bridge crossing the tributary of Rae’s Creek in front of the 13th green and urinated over the side during Thursday’s first round of the Masters.

The “raining” U.S. Amateur winner shot a 4-over 76 playing in the same group as defending champion Scottie Scheffler, but the patrons in Amen Corner will long remember him for the applause he received after taking relief in full view, zipping up and proceeding to the green.

“Well, I completely forgot that we had those restrooms to the left of the tee box,” Ballester said. “Then I’m like, I really need to pee. 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 and probably people would not see me that much, and then they clapped for me.

“Probably one of the claps that I really got today real loud, so that was kind of funny.” Ballester did face away from the crowds and toward the azaleas that the hole is famous for when he let nature take its course into the stream that runs below the little walking bridge and eventually to Rae’s Creek. He did not seem concerned that the folks at Augusta National who run the Masters would object to his breach in decorum.

“They saw me. They saw me,” Ballester said. “It was not embarrassing at all for me. If I had to do it again, I would do it again.” Spain has had its share of moments on No. 13 through the years in collecting seven green jackets among four players. It is the hole where Sergio Garcia famously saved a par after hitting across the stream into the azaleas in 2017 and eventually won the green jacket in a playoff over Justin Rose to collect his only major victory.

Jose Maria Olazabal sprung his second Masters victory in the final round on 13 in 1999 when he drained a 21-footer for birdie to immediately answer Greg Norman’s eagle putt in front of him retain a share of the lead and blunt Norman’s charge.

Three-time champion Seve Ballesteros had his brother caddying for him in 1983 tend the flag on a 4-foot birdie putt on the 13th.

Now Ballester has added him memorable moment. Perhaps next time nature calls on the course and he’s forced to take relief, Ballester could step behind the cover of the bushes that are not in short supply.