OK so We had a player hit today into an area he thought the ball would likely be lost. He played a provisional as we usually yo. A discussion started about what do we do next year.

Player hit a ball to a questionable area.
Player Hit a provisional
Provisional would be lying 3 if needed
Can't find the original ball
The area where the ball was lost is known or virtually certain
The player is allowed under the new rules to drop in the vicinity with a 2 stroke penalty
Player would lying 3 where the drop would be

In this example, the drop would be better than the provisional, but the question works either way.
So he now has a choice where he hits his 4th shot????

THE QUESTION - Does the player get a choice?

I say the spirit of the new rule is to eliminate the provisional and the walk back if one isn't played and that if a second ball is hit from the tee it is the ball in play.

I cannot find clarification of the status of the provisional ball or even if they are now obsolete as it seems to me they should be