Rules question. unable to place ball

[doublesuited77]

watching the british open actually made me think of a rules incident which occurred last week. (And before you say, 'look it up', I tried and can't make heads or tales of it).

Here is the situation. slight wet day, hit a gap wedge into a par 4 which embedded directly into a downslope of the green. I mark the ball, fix the ball mark. When I try to replace the ball it won't stay in one place since it is on a downslope. What is the ruling here?

[AceDunk]

Just going by memory but I think after you try to place it twice and it doesn't stay, then you can place it at the nearest place that it will, no closer to the hole.

[Zeph]

Source: USGA
20-3. Placing and Replacing
d. Ball Fails to Come to Rest on Spot

If a ball when placed fails to come to rest on the spot on which it was placed, there is no penalty and the ball must be replaced. If it still fails to come to rest on that spot:

(i) except in a hazard, it must be placed at the nearest spot where it can be placed at rest that is not nearer the hole and not in a hazard;

(ii) in a hazard, it must be placed in the hazard at the nearest spot where it can be placed at rest that is not nearer the hole.

If a ball when placed comes to rest on the spot on which it is placed, and it subsequently moves, there is no penalty and the ball must be played as it lies, unless the provisions of any other Rule apply.

Penalty for Breach of Rule 20-1, 20-2 or 20-3:
Match play - Loss of hole; Stroke play - Two strokes.