It's hard to imagine a greater affront to golfing etiquette than moving another player's ball. That's exactly what happened to American Joe Saletto earlier this week, but the culprit wash't another player.

Approaching his shot on the 12th green last weekend, Saletto spotted an eagle playing around with his ball, before eventually making off with it.

Undeterred by what could be interpreted as some sort of omen of doom, he played on and finished the whole.

Perhaps even more surprising was the sight upon approaching the tee box on the 12th hole - the eagle had returned, perhaps guilty for his earlier rudeness, and deposited the ball on the grass.

Without a word to explain his eccentric behaviour, the eagle then flew off into the distance.