Schauffele’s shot lands in a viewer’s merchandise bag

Maybe gift shopping really is out of control at the Masters.

Xander Schauffele’s tee shot on the par-5 eighth hole Thursday at Augusta National ended up in somebody’s merchandise bag, just a few feet to the left of the fairway.

Schauffele used a tee to mark the spot, removed the ball and then handed off the bag to a woman in a pink and white outfit. He was able to play on without penalty and made par.

“It just flew straight into the bag. It was a great break. That bounce would’ve put me in the pine straw and who knows if I would’ve had a shot to hit up the hill,” Schauffele said after shooting a 2-under 70 in the first round. “So thanks to the lady on 8,” he said.

Schauffele shouldn’t sell himself short for his own role in a solid first day. After his tee shot on the par-4 ninth ended up in some pine straw .