Kevin Kisner missed the turtle but hit the security guard at Masters

Kevin Kisner dodged a turtle, argued with a rules official and hit a security guard with an approach shot Friday, and he’s still in striking distance of the Masters lead heading into Saturday’s third round.

The 35-year-old Aiken native shot a 1-over 73 on Friday in one of the most eventual rounds of the day at Augusta National Golf Course. He is 2-under overall, his best position at the halfway point in his four Masters appearances.

“It was very similar to yesterday, I just didn’t birdie the Par 5s,” Kisner said. “I have a low one in me if I can keep hitting the golf ball the way I have been.”

Kisner had three bogeys on the first 11 holes but bounced back with birdies at No. 15 and No. 16 to salvage his round. That was only half the story though.

His day started getting weird on the sixth hole when he had a disagreement with a rules official after missing the fairway and landing in casual water. The rules official was hesitant to give Kisner relief from the water.

“I was arguing with him about that, and he finally came to his senses,” Kisner said.

Then, on the ninth hole, his ball went over the green and on one bounce went into the gallery behind the green, coming to rest wedged behind the back of a seated security guard. While the rest of the patrons scattered from their spots, the security guard stayed seated until Kisner arrived and then stood, allowing the ball to roll out.

“I told him he was pretty worthless because he didn’t kick it up there closer,” Kisner joked.

On the par-3 16th, Kisner’s group had to wait while tournament officials escorted a turtle off the green. After the players’ tee shots, the turtle returned to the green.

“I think he had finally moseyed off by the time we finished,” Kisner said.

This week’s conditions haven’t been favorable for the 5-foot-10, 165-pound Kisner. He lives in Aiken, just 25 miles from the course, and he said he can’t remember a stretch from November to April with more rain in the area.

“I’ve got a farm that’s underwater,” he said.

That means Kisner, who is not one of the game’s long hitters, isn’t getting a lot of roll in the fairways this week.

“I like to see the ball bounding the fairway,” he said. “It makes me look like I hit it far.”

It also didn’t help that he couldn’t find a raincoat when he left the house this morning.

“I was pretty pissed about that,” he said. “It’s pretty bad when you can’t find your stuff when you’re staying at home.”

This story was originally published April 12, 2019 at 3:54 PM.