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Jordan Spieth’s fellow professionals have urged the sport’s governing bodies to amend an “outdated rule” that disqualified the three-time winner from major tournaments. of Genesis by invitation.
While Spieth graciously accepted punishment for signing with a wrong score after the second round of the $20 million event in Los Angeles, the popular Texan’s expulsion caused anger in the locker room and beyond.
The 30-year-old had a par three on the fourth, but had rolled a four after missing the green. He did not notice the error at the registrar’s booth and as soon as he signed the card and left the area, the first disqualification of the former world number one’s career was inevitable.
There was no suggestion that Spieth had cheated, but the rule is black and white.
However, that didn’t appease two-time DP World Tour winner Eddie Pepperell. “Why do we keep doing this guys? No one benefits from this,” Pepperell posted on social media before making his plea to the R&A and the United States Golf Association. “Can we consider changing this rule for a lighter penalty, please?”
Pepperrell’s opinion was echoed by PGA Tour professional Michael Kim. “There are many safeguards for this, but it is a stupid rule,” he wrote. And Craig Connelly, the experience caddy who has worked for the likes of Paul Casey, Colin Montgomerie and now Martin Kaymer, spoke for many with his complaint.
“With the current technology and scoring system, this should not happen and should not be allowed to happen,” the Scot said in X. “Everyone knew, including Jordan, what score he was on.”
American stockbroker Kip Henley went further, calling it “the dumbest rule in sports.” “Seriously, why have scorecards on the PGA Tour?: he asked. “Why don’t professional (10-pin) bowlers keep their own scores?”
But not everyone was as sympathetic to Spieth, who was in the top 20 at three under when he was sent home. Another Tour pro, Dylan Wu, explained the system in the recorder’s booth, where an official reads aloud the scores recorded independently by the scorer (one of whom accompanies each group) for the player to mark.
“I’m surprised how often this happens in professional golf. “Math is hard… I guess,” Wu said. “It takes Tour officials five seconds to read your scores and it takes you five seconds to check them. Take it hot, but this is equivalent to forgetting to write your name on an exam… hahaha.”
To be fair, Spieth took the hit on the chin and owned up to the mistake. “Today I signed an incorrect scorecard and left the scoring area, after thinking I went through all the procedures to make sure it was correct,” Spieth posted. “Rules are rules and I take full responsibility. “I love this tournament and this golf course as much as anyone on the PGA Tour, so it hurts me not to race this weekend.”
Rory McIlroy believes there is no need to review the regulations. “It’s unfortunate for Jordan and for the tournament that he’s not there,” he said. “I can see both sides of the argument. But I’m probably more of a traditionalist than anything else, so I fall into the camp that it’s worked for so long that I don’t think it really needs to change.”
Spieth’s fall was the latest headline-grabbing incident at Riviera, the revered track also witnessed by tournament promoter Tiger Woods. withdraw after six holes of your second round.
The 48-year-old was playing in his first official event in 10 months due to ongoing problems with his right leg which he almost lost in a car accident three years ago, but suffered flu-like symptoms and dehydration and was put on a drip. He issued a statement on Saturday in which he revealed: “I feel better.” Woods is expected to play next month in The Players Championship at Sawgrass.
Heading into the final round, Patrick Cantlay is at 14 under after a 70, two ahead of compatriots Xander Schauffele and Will Zalatoris, who shot 65. McIlroy is at four under after a two-under 69.