PGA Tour golfer Denny McCarthy sees tee shot rebound off spectator and land in cupholder

PGA Tour player Denny McCarthy produced the most memorable shot of the final round of the St Jude Championship on Sunday as he drove his ball into a cupholder.

The American produced a wild tee shot that missed the fairway, and careered towards a group of spectators who had picked a quiet spot to watch the action. And in a bizarre sequence, his ball hit one seated patron, seemingly deflecting off his arm and into the place on his chair usually reserved for drinks bottles.

Fortunately for McCarthy, 29, he wasn't forced to play his approach to the par four-second from where his ball landed, instead afforded a free drop by officials. And he certainly saw the funny side when he located his drive, quipping: "Long-range hole-in-one."

Remarkably, McCarthy then managed to make birdie, nailing his approach shot to within 35 feet of the hole. And his incredible fortune continued as he holed the putt from there for one of the most memorable 'three's' of his career.

He went on to card a round of 70 in his final round at the opening PGA Tour FedEx Cup Playoff events. That meant a top-20 finish for McCarthy, who finished on a final total of eight under par.

That was seven shots behind eventual winner Will Zalatoris, who beat Sepp Straka in a playoff. It meant an end to the American's long wait for a first PGA Tour victory.

McCarthy somehow still managed to make a birdie despite his wayward tee shot (@PGATOUR/Twitter)

The ball hit a spectator before making its way into the cupholder (@PGATOUR/Twitter)

Golf fans were amused by the incident, with many using taking to Twitter to make jibes at the LIV Golf tour: "LIV Tour would pay a bonus of $10,000 for that one, replied @SeanOfKelly, while @DK83534977 said "During the event, if it was Cam [Smith] it be a 2 stroke penalty.

Indeed, the Australian's hopes of winning the event and becoming new world No 1 were scuppered by a two shot penalty on Saturday, after the LIV-bound star transgressed with a free drop. He eventually finished tied for 13th.

@Iain43925448 meanwhile, offered an alternative solution that McCarthy probably wouldn't have got away with: "I think he should ask the owner of the chair to carry it to the green and drop the ball out of the cup holder?" he wrote.