Sometimes it's the simple things that trip up even the most experienced pros – like a fateful ball mix-up that earned Tom Kim and defending champion Brian Campbell a two-stroke penalty in the second round of the VidantaWorld Mexico Open. What a bitter awakening when potential pars suddenly turned into double bogeys, just because the balls were confused in the same bunker.
The curious scene unfolded on Friday on the final hole. Both tee shots found the left side of the fairway, and subsequently, their approach shots landed in the same greenside bunker. Kim played Campbell's ball, and Campbell, in turn, played Kim's – a real ball roulette that proved costly for both players. Fortunately, the faux pas was noticed before the scorecards were submitted; otherwise, it would have resulted in disqualification. As it was, they 'only' received a two-stroke penalty under Rule 6.3c(1), the general penalty for playing a wrong ball.
The Cost of the Mix-Up
Despite the shock and the penalty strokes, both players carded a 3-under 68 and were at 7-under par after 36 holes. The cut was comfortably made, but those two extra strokes are worth gold on the PGA Tour and put golfers under immense pressure. The mix-up could prove decisive in the tight race for victory.
Novak on the Rise
While Kim and Campbell were digesting their penalties, Andrew Novak delivered a stellar round at the top of the leaderboard. With an incredible 10-under 61, he secured a three-stroke lead after two rounds. Campbell, who won the title in the last edition, and Kim, a freshly crowned Asian Games gold medalist from this October, now need to play exceptionally well to make up ground and stay in contention. It's going to be an exciting weekend!
