19-5/5 Provisional Ball Struck by Original Ball

Q: A player's original ball strikes and moves his provisional ball. What is the ruling?

A: Rule 19-5 does not apply because the provisional ball was not in play. Rule 19-2 does not apply because the provisional ball is not the equipment of the player -- see Decision 18/7. In equity, (Rule 1-4), and by analogy to Rule 19-5a, the player shall play the ball as it lies and no penalty is incurred except that, in stroke play, if both balls lay on the putting green prior to the stroke, the player incurs a penalty of two strokes.  

1-2/1.5 Competitor Alters Line of Play of Fellow-Competitor

Q: In stroke play, A's ball is under a partially detached tree branch from which he believes he is entitled to relief without penalty. A calls for a ruling. B, A's fellow-competitor, argues A's case to a member of the Committee and, during the conversation, lifts the branch and improves or worsens A's line of play. What is the ruling?

A: As B's actions were not made with the intention of improving or worsening A's line of play, he is not in breach of Rule 1-2. The branch may be replaced, but A is not required to do so.

27/7 Ball Found in Burrowing Animal Hole After Five-Minute Search

Q: A player's tee shot comes to rest in an area containing heavy rough and a large burrowing animal hole. After a search of five minutes, the players in the group determine that it is neither known nor virtually certain that the ball is in the burrowing animal hole. The player returns to the tee to put another ball into play under Rule 27-1. As the player is returning to the tee, the ball is found in the burrowing animal hole. May the player now proceed under Rule 25-1?

A: No. When five minutes elapsed and it was neither known nor virtually certain that the ball was in the burrowing animal hole, the ball was lost and Rule 27-1 was applicable.