I think you are right about him thinking about hitting out of the water. But the ball was several inches below the surface and close to the bank so back to the fescue he went.
Not just at AFH. KU at ISU tonight reminded me of this gift to KU a few years ago at Hilton.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.yahoo.com/amphtml/sports/blogs/ncaab-the-dagger/controversial-non-call-regulation-costs-iowa-state-critical-053705447--ncaab.html
I think Johnny Orr of Iowa State made an issue of coaches box inconsistencies in game against UK in the previous round. He felt Pitino getting away with it but Johnny got the T. I believe it was big topic of discussion in postgame coverage. May have played a role in ref's awareness of isue in...