Lost ball or not?

[Norrin Radd]

The scenario is this ,par four dogleg right ,if you are brave enough and long enough you can cut the corner ,go over the trees and be somewhere near or even on the green .
Two guys playing and one has a go over the top ,he has never been on the green before but a helping wind has given him a bit of bravado so he nails one .
The other chap ays conservative golf and plays to the dogleg and then plays to the green ,first guys ball is no where to be seen so a search starts short of the green as that is his usual spot when he has a go.three minutes are up and he takes the walk of shame .his partner backsup to the dogleg to watch him hit .the guy plays a good shot and just makes the front edge .so off they go to the green to putt out .where upon the original ball is found in the hole.
Lost ball or not. Three minutes of looking didn't find it so what is the ruling

 

[Maninblack4612]

The hole is completed when the ball is holed out. Rule 6.5

 

[rosecott]

The hole is completed when the ball is holed out. Rule 6.5

End of.

 

[robinthehood]

Albatross

 

[bobmac]

Unless...........

 

[Norrin Radd]

Unless...........

ooh do tell

 

[Norrin Radd]

I assumed it would be an ace but wasn't 100 sure about it

 

[patricks148]

i would have had a look in the hole esp it it was reachable off the tee

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Boom - any public access to the course anywhere near the hole?