disputed rule at local course

Question
this past wednesday a friend of mine and i were playing and on the second hole a par 3 with water in front of the green he hit his tee shot into the water. He drops in front of the water laying 2 hits his third behind the hole we head to the green he spots his ball and when its his turn to putt replaces it walks behind the ball to read the putt and the ball starts rolling and goes in the hole. should the ball be replaced, does it count as a 4 or a 3 ? please let me know  

Answer
Dear Melissa, thanks for the question. Isn't that interesting...and rare.  Your friend will like this answer.  Under Rule 18-1/12 if a ball is replaced and subsequently moved by wind, the player must play from whereever it stops.  If the ball happens to go into the hole, the last stroke is the final stroke...in this case: 3. (a heck of a 3, I might add) Now, having said that, if your friend did replace the ball, they would now have invoked rule 18-2a/7 which would require a penalty stroke leading to a 4 in this case.  Here's more:  If your friend replaced the ball, then putted and missed, then putted again into the hole, under the same rule would be penalized 2-strokes, for a total of 7.  I've included the rules for you below.  I love the fun ones!  Thanks again for asking, good luck and remember...

Love the game,
skipper

18-1/12 Ball Replaced and at Rest Is Thereafter Moved by Wind
Q. A player replaces his ball on the putting green and the ball is at rest. Before the player addresses the ball, a sudden gust of wind blows the ball farther from the hole. The player plays the ball from its new position. Is that correct?
A. Yes. Wind is not an outside agency ?see Definition of 揙utside Agency.?Accordingly, Rule 18-1 does not apply.

18-2a/7 Ball Moved by Wind Replaced
Q. In stroke play, a competitor抯 ball was moved by wind. Since wind is not an outside agency (see Definition of 揙utside Agency?, he should have played it from where it came to rest, but he replaced it. What is the ruling?
A. The competitor incurred one penalty stroke under Rule 18-2a, and, before playing his next stroke, he should have replaced the ball on the spot where it came to rest after being moved by the wind. If he did not do so, he incurred a total penalty of two strokes ?see penalty statement under Rule 18.