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Bad birdie! A collision with a bird in flight causes Kelly Kraft to miss the cut

April 14, 2018

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — Kelly Kraft got a birdie, just not the one he wanted at the RBC Heritage.

Kraft’s ball hit a bird in flight on the par-3 14th hole, and the ball dropped into the water in front of the green.

Kraft made double bogey and finished at 1-over par on Harbour Town Golf Links, missing the cut by a stroke.

Kraft told PGATour.com the bad break cost him the cut. He said his tee shot felt perfect and was on a good line until fate took over.

Kraft’s group asked for a ruling, figuring the player would simply re-tee without penalty. Instead, because the bird is not a man-made object, Kraft had to play it as a ball in the water.

Kraft said his ball glance off a large black bird that flew off after the glancing blow.