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Jordan Spieth is taking heat from golf fans and likely Augusta National officials after breaking a major unwritten rule following a third-round 69 at The Masters. Spieth, who won The Masters in 2015 and finished in the top three in four of his first five Masters appearances, barely made the cut this year after back-to-back scores of 73 in the second round.
But he got things going in the third round, making three birdies and no bogeys to move under par for the week and inside of the top 25. After the round, Spieth was asked about his round and how it differed from the first two days. His answer surprised not only the interviewer, but also fans.
Spieth: “We’re not allowed to talk about mud balls.”
*talks about mud balls
Thoughts on The Masters trying to restrict players from talking about mud balls?
— Tour Golf (@PGATUOR) April 12, 2025
“My iron play killed me the last two days and to be brutally honest with you, it was primarily mud balls,” he explained. “It’s just so frustrating because you can’t talk about them here. You’re not supposed to talk about them. Mud balls can affect this tournament significantly, especially when you get them a lot on 11 and 13. They’re just daggers on those two holes.”
Jordan Spieth Blames Mud Balls For Poor Masters Play, Drawing Ire Of Fans
For those who are unfamiliar, a mud ball refers to a situation where golfers have mud stuck to their ball, which can significantly alter the flight and trajectory of the following shot. Spieth claims that it happens often at Augusta Nation, but that officials tell golfers not to talk about it.
“There’s like less than normal but I still had them today on those holes. I had them yesterday on those holes. It’s something to pay attention to for sure for leader groups, because you just have to play so far away from trouble or lay up when you’d normally go for it, just random stuff, because it will affect it significantly,” he continued. “And if you’re on the wrong side of the hole you’re either in the water or you almost can’t make par depending on what hole it is.
“Look, it’s mowed into the grain. The ball is digging in on every shot. A lot of times you have it on 75% of your drives.”
Some fans were willing to hear Spieth out. But most felt that it was just sour grapes from a player who has struggled to reach the same heights he found early in his career.
“So did everyone else, I’m sure. Quit crying a river around your lie, and maybe there won’t be mud,’ wrote one fan.
“He’s such a crybaby,” said another.
Those same mud balls don’t seem to be affecting Rory McIlroy, who is at 12-under currently holds a 4-shot lead over Corey Conners at the time of writing.