Provisional ball - does it need to be a specific purpose?

[Mickyc]

Hi all, we had this last weekend.
Player hits tee shot on par 3 into what appears to be either in a water hazard or the dense bush just to the right of it. He hits a provision “in case he doesn’t find his ball” and the provisional reaches the green.
Player’s caddie then finds the first ball in the water hazard. Can the player use his provisional as his 3rd shot or does the player have to take a drop at point of entry of the hazard etc (or go back to the tee) on the basis that the ball was not lost? Ie does the provisional count if his ball is not lost?
thanks
Mike

 

[Foxholer]

...Can the player use his provisional as his 3rd shot...
Mike

No!

...or does the player have to take a drop at point of entry of the hazard etc (or go back to the tee) on the basis that the ball was not lost?...

This!

 

[jim8flog]

In this circumstance the provisional ball may be played for a ball that might be lost in the bush. Once it has been established that the ball has not been lost in the bush the provisional is no longer the ball in play.

In much the same way if the player finds the ball in the bush but unplayable the provisional is no longer the ball in play.

 

[rulefan]

As the ball is found the player must proceed as if a provisional had not been played. He can abandon that second ball or put it back in his bag.

 

[Mickyc]

Thanks all. That’s how we played it.
cheers