15 mins later, HIO!

[joekelly]

On the par 3 with very strong slopes on the green, Paul hits his shot well, it goes just over the flag and stops on the upslope about 6 feet from the hole.  Paul marks his ball and waits since no one else hit the green and they muck about till finally all balls on the green.  Putting begins, and finally Paul replaces his ball and removes the marker.  He then walks below the hole to inspect the line and as he stands there, far from the ball, the ball starts to roll and rolls into the cup.  Hole in one. Nice.

Thanks to Barry Rhodes for this.

[ColinL]

Two things to check in a situation like this before the bottle of whisky is ordered:  was the ball at rest after being replaced and if so, did the player do anything to cause the ball to move.

As you say, nice one!

[fr0sty]

In case anyone is curious, the relevant decision is here: http://usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Decision-20/#d20-3d-1

BALL FAILS TO COME TO REST ON SPOT

20-3d/1

Placed Ball Rolls into Hole

Q.A replaces his ball on the putting green three feet from the hole. As he is about to address the ball, it rolls into the hole. Should the ball be replaced or is A deemed to have holed out with his previous stroke?

A.The answer depends on whether the ball, when replaced, came to rest on the spot on which it was placed before it started rolling. If it did, A is deemed to have holed out with his previous stroke. If not, A is required to replace the ball (Rule 20-3d). However, if the ball had been overhanging the hole when it was lifted, the provisions of Rule 16-2 would override those of Rule 20-3d.