In his first Masters’ appearance, Jose Luis Ballester became known for something that didn’t involve his golf game.
Jose Luis Ballester Pees In Rae’s Creek
Here’s U.S. Amateur champion Josele Ballester talking about why he peed in Rae’s Creek during the first round of the Masters pic.twitter.com/CbO6KXBdWH
— Cameron Jourdan (@Cam_Jourdan) April 10, 2025
Ballester is the U.S. Amateur champion playing in his first Masters tournament.
Being that it’s his first time playing Augusta during the Masters, the 21-year-old is not familiar with the course.
Notably, Ballester forgot where the bathroom was when playing Amen Corner.
The Spaniard, who plays golf at Arizona State, used the course’s most famous creek as his toilet.
“I completely forgot that we had those restrooms on the left of the tee box [on the 13th hole],” Ballester told the media after his round (via Cameron Jourdan). “I’m like, I really need to pee. Didn’t really know where to go, and since JT had an issue on the green, I’m like, I’m just going to sneak here in the river [Rae’s Creek] and probably people would not see me that much.”
While going to the bathroom, Ballester thought he had picked a spot where no one could see him. The amateur was wrong, as a group of people began clapping for him while he peed.
“Probably one of the claps that I really got today, real loud,” Ballester said. “So that was kind of funny.”
Jose Luis Ballester’s First Round At The 2025 Masters
PGA TOUR U No. 4 🤝 World No. 1
An opportunity of a lifetime for @SunDevilMGolf senior Jose Luis Ballester @TheMasters. pic.twitter.com/Q4ycwnvvSs
— PGA TOUR University (@PGATOURU) April 10, 2025
When he wasn’t urinating, Ballester tried to keep up with his two partners: Justin Thomas and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
Augusta will humble even the most talented players, including Ballester.
The Sun Devil shot a four-over 76 (T-73). Ballester shot four over the first nine with a birdie, two bogeys, and a triple bogey.
Despite the round, Ballester will likely be remembered for his bathroom break at Rae’s Creek.
“It was not embarrassing at all for me,” Ballester said about the incident. “If I had to do it again, I would do it again.”
