Hitting Yourself with the Ball

[JimmyW]

I was reading one of those little golf trivia books you find in libraries and bookstores and I was wondering if you could clear something up for me.

Gary Player, final round, needing to par the final 4 holes at a course with a name that escapes me now. Drive off the 15th par 4 lands near a stone wall. Gary decides than instead of taking the drop he will ricochet it off the wall and back into the fairway. His second careens off the wall and comes back and hits him. His third lands on the green and he one-putts for par(?) He then pars the next 3. It was then determined that he should have taken a 6 instead of a 4 on the 15th and therefore loses by one

Any comments? The book didn't clarify too much.

JW

[Gary Hill]

Rule 19. Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped

19-2. By Player, Partner, Caddie or Equipment

b. Stroke Play
If a competitor’s ball is accidentally deflected or stopped by himself, his partner or either of their caddies or equipment, the competitor shall incur a penalty of two strokes.

(Match Play penalty: Loss of Hole)