Crossword Genius

Surface defect ruined the Polo (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pothole

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'surface defect' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both natural objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'ruined the polo' is the wordplay.
'ruined' indicates an anagram.
'the'+'polo'='thepolo'
'thepolo' is an anagram of 'POTHOLE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pothole that I've seen before include "Deep water-made cave, pit in road" , "Damage to road" , "Effect of subsidence" , "that can be problem when driving" , "Deep water-carved cave" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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