Fan steals Tiger's ball

Charlotte - Tiger Woods was given a free drop at Quail Hollow without ever finding his golf ball.

Woods, in danger of missing the cut Friday at the Wells Fargo Championship, pulled his second shot into the gallery and toward the trees on the par-5 fifth hole. After a long search, the ball was never found.

Spectators told a rules official they saw the ball land in an open area and bounce a short distance away. Within seconds, several fans surrounded the area. But the ball mysteriously disappeared.

Rules official Mark Russell said based on the evidence, it was determined a fan picked up the ball and Woods was given free relief.

Woods made par instead of having to go back to the fairway to play his fourth shot.