Spieth disqualified by outdated rule
Right call or an outdated rule? Social media reacts to Jordan Spieth’s DQ at 2024 Genesis Invitational
Spieth was disqualified by an outdated rule. The 2024 Genesis Invitational had an eventful Friday. The tournament host, Tiger Woods, withdrew from the Riviera Country Club due to an illness, and there was even a scare with an ambulance waiting for him. Later, one of the PGA Tour’s top players was disqualified after the round.
Jordan Spieth got disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard, where he signed for a 3 instead of a 4 on the 245-yard, par-3 fourth hole. He hit his tee shot into the left rough, chipped to within four feet, and missed the par putt. Spieth took responsibility for his mistake by sharing the ordeal on his social media accounts.
Today, I signed for an incorrect scorecard and stepped out of the scoring area, after thinking I went through all procedures to make sure it was correct. Rules are rules, and I take full responsibility. I love this tournament and golf course as much as any on @PGATOUR so it hurts…
— Jordan Spieth (@JordanSpieth) February 17, 2024
Late on Friday night, an announcement was made while Spieth was playing in the third-to-final group of the day. The announcement caused social media to erupt with discussion about the rule and its origin. However, this did not prevent people from questioning whether the rule should be revised or if the decision to disqualify Spieth was appropriate. Take a look at some of the top reactions to Spieth’s disqualification.
Why are we still doing this guys? Nobody benefits in this. @RandA @USGA Can we please look at changing this rule to a softer penalty please?
— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) February 17, 2024
It’s fun to get outraged at golf rules and call them antiquated, but there’s a reason why players sign a scorecard.
Your score is YOUR responsibility. And there’s no way a player is going to (or should) trust anyone else with their official score.
Yes, there’s shotlink on…
— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) February 17, 2024
2 LIV events, unpaid
— Philip Icuss (@Phil_Icuss) February 17, 2024
With regards to the rule itself: I think players should be in charge of ur scores. Volunteers are scorers but they aren’t 100% reliable, especially overseas. If there’s two players on opposite sides of the hole, it can get difficult to figure out what everyone has made. You take…
— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714) February 17, 2024
All this Golf Twitter chatter about Spieth’s scorecard DQ.
Here’s a thought: write down the correct score and it’s not an issue. pic.twitter.com/cntG4r4ivw
— Bryan Tweed (@BryanTweed16) February 17, 2024
Spieth even keeps score stressfully. pic.twitter.com/B1t8Y83rJM
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) March 5, 2023
Losing Tiger and Spieth on the same day at the biggest event of the first two months of the season … tough run right now for the tour. https://t.co/Ske1bHHOsa
— Shane Bacon (@shanebacon) February 17, 2024
Another benchmark in the dumbest rule in all of sports.
— KIP HENLEY (@KipHenley) February 17, 2024
Totally understand. Counting to four is hard.
— jimmy jim james jimbo (@The_foundersnet) February 17, 2024
Now, I can tell you personally some of golf’s rules have turned me off from playing casually. Dress codes specifically, when a course made me buy a shirt for an event because I didn’t have a collar. What the hell does that have to do with anything? However, I’m not sure this particular rule is wrong. It is absolutely necessary to record your score correctly. Most fans, I believe, are arguing that the punishment is pretty severe. Time will tell if the PGA changes the rule. They are not the most adaptable people on the planet, so don’t hold your breath.