Can a caddie identify a found ball as belonging to his player?

In golf, a caddie is not permitted to identify a found ball as belonging to their player simply based on their presence or without proper evidence. The Rules of Golf stipulate that when a ball is found, it is the player's responsibility to confirm if it is their ball. Identification of a player's ball must comply with specific criteria, such as the player's identification number or mark on the ball.

The reasoning behind this rule is to ensure fairness and integrity in the game, as it prevents any potential disputes regarding the ownership of the ball. Only the player can make the definitive claim about the ownership of a found ball. Therefore, the correct response highlights the importance of following established procedures in identifying a ball, reinforcing the essential concept that the golfer, not the caddie, must assert ownership.