It was all going off at the Genesis Invitational. Hours after host Tiger Woods withdrew, suffering from flu-like symptoms and requiring an IV in the Riviera clubhouse, another of the tournament’s big draws discovered he wouldn’t be playing the weekend.
The PGA Tour announced Jordan Spieth had been disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard – certifying a 3 instead of a 4 at the par 3 4th hole. He thought he’d shot 72. Actually, he’d finished with 73.
“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,” the three-time major winner wrote on X.
“Rules are rules, and I take full responsibility. I love this tournament and golf course as much as any on @PGATOUR so it hurts to not have a run at the weekend. Really appreciated the support in LA.”
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Jordan Spieth DQd: What do the scorecard rules say?
Spieth’s misfortune brought complaints from some on social media about whether professional tournaments, with TV scoring and automated leaderboards, should be subject to the same rules you face in your club competitions.
Others asked whether the punishment actually fit the crime.
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But the Rules here are, at least, pretty clear.
Rule 3.3b (2) says a player should “carefully check the hole scores entered by the marker and raise any issues with the committee”.
Once the card was in, if the hole score Spieth certified had been higher than his actual score, the higher returned score would have stood and he could have carried on.
Because that returned score was lower – he signed for 3 instead of 4 – he returned a wrong score for a hole and breached Rule 3.3b (3). The penalty for that is disqualification.
Now have your say
Jordan Spieth DQd: What do you think about Jordan Spieth’s disqualification? Is it daft to make professionals sign a scorecard given all the technology that records it? Or should they be subject to the same Rules of Golf you are in your club competitions? Why not let me know with a comment on X.
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