The latest Jordan Spieth development left fans stunned after a brutal day at the Genesis Invitational on Friday.
It was one of the few things that the PGA Tour could ill afford to have happen amidst the current golf landscape. First, Tiger Woods left fans at the Riviera Country Club and around the world in a state of disbelief on Friday after another incredibly unfortunate withdrawal due to a reported illness. Then, sometime after the second round had drawn to a close the event lost Jordan Spieth for the remainder of the weekend.
Following a brutal stretch to close out his day which included a surprise double bogey on the last, Spieth was disqualified from the remainder of this year's Genesis Invitational after signing for an incorrect scorecard.
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. Rules are rules, and I take full responsibility. I love this tournament and golf course as much as any on @PGATOUR so it hurts…
— Jordan Spieth (@JordanSpieth) February 17, 2024
Spieth's disqualification added insult to injury to cap off a rough day for the Genesis Invitational and golf fans around the world. On top of losing both tournament host Woods and Jordan Spieth later in the day, the event also saw the early departures of Justin Thomas, Wyndham Clark, and Matt Fitzpatrick after all three failed to make this week's reduced cut of top 50 and ties.
Understandably, fans were left stunned by the events that unfolded both during and after the second round of this year's Genesis Invitational, a signature event at an iconic venue that was essentially sucker-punched on Friday.
Fans left stunned after shocking Jordan Spieth DQ
No Tiger Woods, no Jordan Spieth and no Justin Thomas on the weekend at Riviera.
— Christopher Powers (@CPowers14) February 17, 2024
No two ways about it - dictionary definition of a "tough scene"
Tiger WDs
— Jake Weaver (@MidwestGolfJake) February 17, 2024
Spieth DQs
Scheffler putting woes
Cantlay with a 5 shot lead
Nightmare scenario for the PGA Tour.
The Dumbest Rule In Sports Strikes Again: Jordan Spieth DQ'd From The Genesis Invitational For Committing The Blasphemous Sin Of Signing An Incorrect Scorecard https://t.co/Z3Woi9MKfh pic.twitter.com/nTWhkcRL9d
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) February 17, 2024
Losing Tiger and Spieth on the same day at the biggest event of the first two months of the season ... tough run right now for the tour. https://t.co/Ske1bHHOsa
— Shane Bacon (@shanebacon) February 17, 2024
Jordan Spieth finished at -3 after a double at 18 but it doesn't matter. He was disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard. He made a 4 at the 4th hole where he signed for a 3.
— Bob Harig (@BobHarig) February 17, 2024
Should Pro Golf do away with the “signing incorrect scorecard” rule? We all knew what Jordan Spieth shot at the end of the round.
— 54 Live Podcast (@54LivePod) February 17, 2024
Every shot is being tracked. We’re not just relying on the player and playing partner anymore. Should they make a change?
Saying the last few weeks on tour have been brutal may be putting it mildly. First, the second of this season's signature events was cut short to 54 holes at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am due to extreme weather conditions, then there was the, shall we say commotion, at last week's WM Phoenix Open in Arizona. All of that proceeded the stunning developments at the Genesis this week.
The last several weeks have arguably been a complete disaster for the PGA Tour.
Meanwhile, amidst the chaos, tournament leader Patrick Cantlay followed up a phenomenal opening round of 64 on Thursday with an equally dominant bogey-free 65 in round two. The 31-year-old Californian will take a commanding five-shot lead into the weekend at Riviera.
Cantlay will look to fend off Jason Day, Luke List, Will Zalatoris, Xander Schauffele, and the rest of the chasing pack over the next two days with the 8-time winner on the PGA Tour looking for his first win since the 2022 BMW Championship at Wilmington Country Club.