2007 #2 Who Can Replace Your Ball?

THE SCENE:
You are raking the sand in the bunker on hole #15 when Audrey asks for permission to mark your ball on the green. You say of course and when you walk onto the green she hands you your ball and points to her ball marker which is marking your ball.

What would you do?
A. You place your ball in front of the marker then give Audrey her ball marker.
B. You give the ball back to Audrey and ask her to replace it.

Either A or B is correct.
Actually either procedure is allowed. Three people can replace your ball: You, your partner, or the person who lifted it.

Rule 20-3 in your Rules of Golf book answers the question:
20-3 Placing and Replacing
a. By Whom and Where


A ball to be placed under the Rules must be placed by the player or his partner. If a ball is to be replaced, the player, his partner or the person who lifted or moved it must place it on the spot from which it was lifted or moved

But do make sure that if she marked the ball in an unusual way (not directly behind the ball) that you replace the ball accordingly.

REMEMBER: If someone marks your ball for you, it is all right for you to replace it, yourself.