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Jordan Spieth DQd after incorrect scorecard blunder

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The Texan paid the ultimate price for a returning a wrong score for a hole following Friday’s second round at the Genesis Invitational at Riviera

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.”

jordan spieth dqd

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.

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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About the author

Steve Carroll
Steve Carroll

A journalist for more than 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long.

A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A’s prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.

Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men’s Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.

A part of NCG’s Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He’d like to tell you he floats around 10. The reality is more like 13.

Steve plays at Sandburn Hall, in York, and is a country member at Close House in Newcastle. He has served on various club committees during his time in the game, and is the current Rules Secretary at Sandburn.

Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NCTJ exams at Darlington College of Technology. He began his career working on weekly papers in Newcastle, before joining the York Press in 2001. After five years as a news reporter, he joined the sports desk – specialising in horse racing and snooker – and was Digital Sports Editor when he joined National Club Golfer in 2016.

What’s in Steve’s bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; Caley 01T irons 4-PW; TaylorMade Hi-Toe wedges, Odyssey 2Ball Microhinge putter.

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