Jordan Spieth was not happy with Sky Sports analyst Wayne Riley during the first of two rules debates with Rory McIlroy at The Players.
The world no.14 was playing alongside McIlroy in the first round at TPC Sawgrass when the Northern Irishman found trouble on 18.
Spieth did not appear overly convinced that McIlroy’s tee shot on 18 crossed
Spieth did not appear overly convinced that McIlroy’s tee shot on 18 crossed.
Having started on the 10th hole, McIlroy quickly raced to six-under before his ninth tee shot found the water.
The four-time major winner then consulted with Spieth and fellow playing partner Viktor Hovland to determine where to take a drop.
Players must identify the point where the ball crossed from land to water, but there were suggestions McIlroy’s tee shot started and stayed over the hazard from the moment it left the club.
Yikes! Rory finds the water 🌊😬 pic.twitter.com/gwF3zxb4Q6
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) March 14, 2024
This would mean the world no.2 would be forced to take his third shot from the tee box – but all three players eventually agreed that it crossed about 200 yards up the fairway.
However, nobody appeared truly confident, with Spieth appearing particularly sceptical as McIlroy asked, ‘Did it cross?’
Ex-golfer Riley, now chief on-course reporter for Sky Sports, was asked for his opinion as the trio walked up the 18th and told them he thought it crossed 200 yards up the fairway.
Footage then showed him holding his hands up as Spieth appeared to give him a telling-off.
Reacting to the moment on Sky Sports, ‘Radar’ said with a laugh: “I got asked to say where it crossed and Jordan went berserk at me!
“He said, ‘How do you know, Radar? Where were you standing?’
“All I can do is answer the question. These temperamental golfers!”
Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Viktor Hovland discuss McIlroy’s drop on No. 7.
Rory makes double bogey to move from solo leader to T2. pic.twitter.com/dkV6a5Q22W
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 14, 2024
Jordan Spieth ‘risked death’ to save one shot in moment which petrified caddie at Pebble Beach.
After the penalty drop, McIlroy found the green and two-putted for a bogey, limiting the damage and maintaining his lead at the turn.
However, there would be more controversy and awkward exchanges at the 7th hole when McIlroy found the water once again.
Hovland and Spieth both entered more discussions with the tournament leader, who was adamant his ball bounced above the red line before going into the hazard, giving him a more favourable position from which to drop.
McIlroy could be heard saying he was ‘trying to do the right thing’, although he was ‘pretty comfortable he saw he bounce above the red line’.
World no.4 and Ryder Cup teammate Hovland said: “It was very close and I can’t say either way.”
Spieth then interjected by saying he spoke to TV crews who saw it bounce below the line, meaning McIlroy ought to drop further back, but that ‘didn’t matter’ because it was not on camera and the player’s view was the most important.
The American added: “Radar offered an opinion on 18 and I don’t mean to be a hypocrite, but the media people on the tee are saying they were certain [it bounced below the line].
“That’s why I thought we should check so you don’t take a bad drop.”
McIlroy was informed by a rules official that due to the lack of evidence on camera, the decision was ultimately down to them.
After eight minutes, everyone was ultimately satisfied that the rules were being followed correctly.
McIlroy proceeded with his original drop and made a double bogey.
Leave a Reply