Pepperell DQ'd from Turkish Airlines Open after running out of balls

Eddie Pepperell was disqualified from the Turkish Airlines Open on Saturday for a reason the typical weekend hacker is familiar with: He ran out of golf balls.

Pepperell's bag was left empty after he continuously fired approach shots into the water on the par-5 4th at Montgomerie Maxx Royal during the third round. He was 2-over par during the round and even par for the tournament before his early exit.

The Englishman didn't give an explanation, but Martin Kaymer, one of Pepperell's playing partners, offered his perspective.

"Eddie hit his shots to the green, then came over to tell us he had run out of balls," Kaymer said, according to Golf Digest's John Huggan. "Then he walked off. I thought he lost four or five. We are about 80 percent sure it was five, 20 percent four. He was quick, so it was hard to keep track."

"He did not ask if he could borrow one from me or George," he continued. "It did not look like he wanted to play. He did not putt with his putter on the third hole; he putted with a wedge. So there was a lot happening.

"I've never seen anything like that before. I only watched it on television, in 'Tin Cup.' This is the first time I have seen it live."

Pepperell was officially disqualified for "failure to complete a hole," and he could face an additional fine.

The 28-year-old has recorded two career wins, most recently claiming victory at the British Masters in October 2018.