ST. ANDREWS, Scotland -- While lining up an eagle putt on the 12th green, Paul Casey ended up in the "ruff."

A dog ran off with Paul Casey's ball in his mouth on the 12th green during the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

The Englishman was 20 feet from the cup on his third hole Friday at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship when a dog ran onto the green and ran off with his ball.

"It's the weirdest thing I've ever had happen on a golf course," said Casey, who was playing at Kingsbarns. "I noticed the dog on the 12th tee and he sort of followed us down the fairway before taking a real liking to my golf ball."

Casey, who is partnered with Olympic great Michael Phelps in the pro-am event, was ready to play with another ball but a spectator stopped the pooch near the 13th tee and recovered the original.

A European Tour rules official inspected both and Casey was allowed to play his original ball. He ended up with a birdie to get to 1 under.