Norman pays for lost ball

It might be the most expensive golf ball Greg Norman's ever lost.

Millions witnessed on television the Aussie lose his ball on the 12th hole in Saturday's third round of the Masters.

Afterwards he told the press corps he would "give 500 bucks if anyone can go out and find it".

CBS-TV commentator Bobby Clampett and two others took up the challenge and Clampett found the ball ten feet from where Norman thought it had landed. It was above the bunker that rests behind the green.

Clampett said: "It was embedded pretty deep. In fact, it was probably best he didn't find it. The best he could have done was advance it into the back bunker or the one in front of the green."

After searching for the maximum five minutes, Norman went back to the tee, took a penalty shot and hit his third to 22 feet. From there he holed the putt for bogey.

Confronted yesterday about the reward offer, a surprised Norman asked: "You found it?" When told 'yes' he dipped into his wallet.

The Maxfli XS ball, with the number 0 and the word SHARK is in Clampett's possession.

"I'm thinking of auctioning it off and giving the money to charity," Clampett added.