Pros call for rule change after Jordan Spieth DQ

Jordan Spieth’s disqualification from the Genesis Invitational has prompted some of his fellow players to call for a rule change.

Three-time major champion Spieth was ejected from this week’s PGA Tour event at Riviera after signing for an incorrect score at the end of his second round.

The 30-year-old was marked down for a three on the par-3 fourth but had in fact taken four shots.

The mistake came to light after Spieth had signed and returned his card, bringing his week to a premature end.

In a subsequent post on social media, Spieth owned his mistake, saying: “Rules are rules, and I take full responsibility. I love this tournament and golf course as much as any on [the] PGA Tour so it hurts to not have a run at the weekend.”

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However, several of Spieth’s fellow players used the opportunity to highlight what they regard as an issue with the rulebook.

Replying to a post from the PGA Tour announcing Spieth’s disqualification, two-time DP World Tour winner Eddie Pepperell tweeted: “Why are we still doing this guys? Nobody benefits in this.”

Tagging the accounts of the R&A and USGA – the two bodies responsible for the implementation and application of the Rules of Golf – he added: “Can we please look at changing this rule to a softer penalty please?”

Michael Kim, who won the John Deere Classic in 2018, also weighed in with his thoughts.

“There are many safeguards to this but this is a stupid rule,” he wrote.

Long-time PGA Tour caddie Kip Henley branded it “the dumbest rule in all of sports”, whilst Mike McGee – husband of LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam – added: “It’s time to stop the nonsense of players being disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard. That rule was meant for the old days when it was only the players in the group that could vouch for each other.

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“Today there are hundreds if not thousands of people following these marquee groups each week. Everybody knows what everybody shot. Computers, walking scorers, media, etc. A simple scorecard signing error should not matter.”

However, not everybody agrees. Dylan Wu, the current world No.147, tweeted: “Amazes me how often this happens in pro golf. Math is hard… I guess . Takes 5 seconds for the Tour officials to read your scores back and for you to check them.

“Hot take but this is equivalent to forgetting to write your name down on a test lol.”

What do you think? Should the punishment for signing an incorrect scorecard on tour be changed? Join the debate on the bunkered X account below:

Should the punishment for signing an incorrect scorecard on tour be changed?

— bunkered (@BunkeredOnline) February 17, 2024

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor