Lost Ball Rule Question

Question
Hi Dan

I'll try and keep this brief to explain a situation that happened to me whilst playing a stroke play competition at the weekend.
My 2 ball playing partner tee'd off on a par 3 and sliced his shot into some trees to the right of the green. He told me he wished to play a provisional ball. I played my shot and waited for him to tee his provisional ball. He struck a beauty to around 6 inches.
We walked up to the green and dropped our bags. We both walked into the trees, as I was about to help him find his original ball. His original ball was obvious to see and was playable, albeit trees obstructed his shot line to the green. I turned back around and started walking back to the green. My partner then picked his original ball up and said that he declared his original ball as lost. We finished the hole, where he made his 6 inch putt and carded a 4.

I questioned this course of action, to which he replied that he could declare a ball lost at any time?

Would you be so kind as to clarify this for me.

Many Thanks for your time

Gareth Jackson

Answer
Hello Gareth,

Thanks for asking this question and I apologize for late answer.

In your situation, your friend can not call it a lost ball.  Since the ball was found, he has to complete the hole with the original ball.  

The hole will be won by your.

Thanks.

Dan