If a player's ball accidentally strikes a person or object in play, what is the outcome?

When a player's ball accidentally strikes a person or object in play, the appropriate outcome is that the player plays the ball as it lies. This rule is grounded in the principles of fairness and the nature of golf, which encourages players to continue the game without unnecessary penalties for incidental occurrences.

If a ball strikes a person, whether they are a fellow player, an official, or a spectator, it is considered part of the normal game dynamics. The player is not required to replay the stroke, incur penalties, or replace the ball; instead, they simply proceed to play the ball from its new location. This approach reinforces the idea that accidents can happen during play, and they should not disrupt the flow of the game or impose heavy penalties on participants for unintentional occurrences.

In contrast, the other choices involve actions or consequences that do not align with the rules governing such situations in golf.