Getty Image / Harry How
Golf is a game of serious rules, with serious consequences for breaking them. PGA Tour superstar Jordan Spieth has been reminded of that fact in one of the most brutal ways on Friday.
The thirteen-time winner on tour did the unthinkable at the Genesis Invitational, signing and submitting an incorrect scorecard. Of course, the penalty is disqualification.
Jordan Spieth has been disqualified from The Genesis Invitational for signing for an incorrect scorecard.
Spieth signed for a 3 and made a 4 on No. 4.
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) February 17, 2024
Oh no, Jordan. That’s the cap off to a very disappointing day after a stellar start to the tournament.
Jordan Spieth nearly played his first nine holes in 29 on Thursday, missing a putt to go out in 30. He finished his round at -5, very much in contention.
The three-time major champion played uneventful golf today, until the final hole. He double bogeyed 18 to walk off the course with a 73 (+2). Somehow, things would get much worse than a double bogey at the last.
The issue is the 4th hole, a par 3 listed at 245 yards. Spieth missed the green to the left. But, he hit an incredible recovery shot to inside four feet for what should’ve been a spectacular par to get some early momentum in the round. Instead, he missed the put, and tapped in for his bogey. That’s four shots, pretty straightforward, not a high number to count.
I’m not sure if he was trying to erase the memory of his missed shortie or not, but he signed his card for a three. Obviously, signing a card for a score better than the one you earned is not allowed, and the penalty is disqualification. If you sign for a score higher than the one you actually achieved, the only penalty is that the higher score stands.
It was just another part of a wacky day at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles. Tournament host Tiger Woods withdrew from the tournament in the middle of his 2nd round. Given his injury history, everyone assumed it had to do with him being hurt. But, it was, in fact, a stomach illness that caused the superstar to become dizzy and dehydrated.
Now, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, and Tiger Woods will not play the weekend at arguably the marquee event of the early PGA season.