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Inverness, Scotland - Ernie Els's embarrassment at taking four shots in a greenside bunker during the Scottish Open almost became a whole lot worse when the South African was reported by an eagle-eyed TV viewer for a possible rules breach during the incident.
The two-time US Open champion was confronted by senior referee Andy McFee after his opening round of 70 on Thursday and told that a viewer thought Els had grounded his club in the bunker. Footage was reviewed but Els wasn't penalised.
Els says he was "digging a grave" when he attempted to escape the hazard on No 6.
A sanction would have left Els in disciplinary trouble for the second straight European Tour event, after he was reprimanded for an expletive-laced outburst at the BMW PGA Championship in May.
