PORTRUSH, United Kingdom — American Kyle Stanley said he had not apologized for a "non-issue" after his playing partner Robert MacIntyre complained he had not shouted "fore" before his ball hit the mother of the Scot's caddie at the British Open.

The incident on the 17th hole in Friday's second round saw Stanley send his tee shot into the gallery, with it hitting the spectator on the hand.

MacIntyre had said he told Stanley he "wasn't happy" and that his rival "didn't take it well at all" when confronted over not letting the crowd know the ball was heading in their direction.

"My two playing partners, my caddie, a couple of the volunteers or the marshals, even had them signalling it was going right," Stanley said after his third-round 73 on Saturday.

"I mean, everyone to the right of that ball, they knew it was coming.

"So to me it's kind of a non-issue. I'm not really sure why he decided to make such an issue about it. I know it hit his caddie's mom's hands off the bounce, and that's unfortunate."

World number 57 Stanley appeared bemused by the situation, saying he had never been involved in something like it before.

He hit out at MacIntyre's inexperience, with the 22-year-old playing in his maiden major at Royal Portrush.

"He's a young player. I've been out here a while," said Stanley, 31. "So I don't feel the need to be schooled on the rules of golf or what to do when you hit a shot off line." — AFP