interesting rules question arose in round yesterday.

player hits a ball that screams into a bunker at the back of the green.

ball partially imbeds in the very back edge of the bunker, where sand meets turf.

player is therefore unable to drop the ball within the bunker without being closer to the hole -- he is already at the point furthest away from hole.

Is he therefore FORCED to return to spot of original stroke to play?

-- reasoning being that he is unable, by rules to do any other option