In a bizarre turn of events at Austin Country Club, Tyrrell Hatton was knocked out of the WGC Match Play on March 24 after a two-shot penalty.

After losing to Rafa Cabrera Bello in the final round of group matches, the world number 14 was tied with Bello and fellow group member Charles Howell at the top of in Group 10, eliminating Jeunghun Wang as the three went into a three-man play off to decide who would advance into the final 16.

Hatton had previously won his first European Tour last year at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St. Andrews, beating compatriot Ross Fisher and South African Richard Sterne.

But, there would be no such joy in Austin for the 25-year-old from High Wycombe, as he was eliminated in the three-man play off.

He had missed the chance for a birdie putt, as did Bello and Howell, in the first hole play-off, and had to go for par. But, he had accidentally nudged the ball forward and did not replace it before holing out, giving him a two-shot penalty.

The Brit was not happy as he reflected on his loss to Sky Sports.

He said, as per ESPN: "Maybe it's karma for me how I behaved the previous two days on the golf course. All I know it's a tough pill to swallow at the moment.

"It's probably the worst way it could have ended. The referee said 'Did I replace the ball?' because if I'd replaced it then I wouldn't have gotten the penalty, but obviously by then it was too late and I'd knocked the putt in.

"I'm only human, I'm going to make mistakes as I've done today. You just have to try and pick yourself up and hopefully I can have a good week at the Masters. That gives me something to smile about at the moment. I can't wait for that."

Further consolation for Hatton could be in the form of Rory McIlroy's shock exit from the tournament.

The multiple PGA and European Tour winner lost to Dane Soren Kjeldsen by 4&3 in what was a mixed day of fortune for the Brits.

Compatriots Paul Casey and Ross Fisher fared better, and have advanced to the final 16.

Hatton will make his Master's debut in April at Augustus, Georgia, and will be hoping for no mistakes like this again.