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Golfer At The Masters Admits He Peed On The Course Thursday

Originally posted on The Spun | By Matt Hladik | Last updated Apr 10, 2025 5:03 PM ET

One golfer couldn't hold it in during the first round of the 2025 Masters on Thursday.

Josele Ballester is one of the most interesting stories of this year's Masters. The 21-year-old Arizona State golfer earned an exemption to golf's most prestigious major, as well as the upcoming U.S. Open, by virtue of winning the U.S. Amateur last summer. This morning, Ballester was grouped with Scottie Scheffler, the No. 1 player in the world and winner of two of the last three green jackets, including last year.

As if he needed any more reason to be in the headlines, Ballester's golf coach was ejected from Augusta National prior to his round. Then, after carding a four-over 76, Ballester made a shocking admission to reporters after leaving the course.

The son of Olympic swimmer Jose Luis Ballester admitted to urinating in Rae's Creek, one of Augusta's landmarks, during his round.

Ballester said he thought he'd be able to relieve himself without being seen, but unfortunately that wasn't the case. Not that he regretted being caught though.

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

"It was not embarrassing at all for me. If I had to do it again, I'd do it again," Ballester said.

This sounds pretty crazy, and there are definitely golfers and fans who are shocked and appalled hearing this news.

Then again, Ballester said before arriving at Augusta that he didn't want to feel overwhelmed playing at the iconic course. Peeing in Rae's Creek is one way to do that.

“It’s such a unique and special place, but at the end of the day, it’s another golf course,” Ballester told AZCentral. “Especially if you go there as a rookie for your first Masters, you might think that everything is so incredible, so cool -- and it is -- but you have to act like you would act on a different course. Not be afraid of taking risks, not be afraid of certain shots, because at the end of the day, it's what I've done my entire life.

"The biggest (takeaway) I got is it is a cool course. Now that I know about it, I have to play it with a good mindset because if I start thinking of it as the Masters and Augusta, I might not perform as well."

Jose Luis Ballester tees off on no. 5 during the first round of the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia on April 10, 2025.© Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

We'll see if Ballester faces any kind of sanctions for his bathroom break when he tees off on Friday.

Ballester, Scheffler and Justin Thomas will get underway at 1:23 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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