Decaring a ball lost

Question
Eddie,
I saw your email thread re declaring a ball lost. Here was
my situation. I hit my 2nd on a par five in the bushes and
then hit a provisional. We went to look and found a few
balls not mine. I then noticed a ball at the bottom of the
gulley 40 ft away in a clearing and said I am not looking
anymore and am declaring my ball lost. I was told that I had
to go look at it to see if was mine. I did and it was and I
played it. My position was if I haven't identified (found)
my ball I can declare it lost anytime.

Need you help

gary c

Answer
Hi Gary:

You're right.  You have control over your ball, not someone else.  When you declared it lost, it was lost, and the search for the original ball should be abandoned.  You then should have went to play your provisional.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member