The Importance of Your Scorecard: What We Can Learn from Jordan Spieth’s Disqualification3 min read

This past week, the PGA Tour returned to Los Angeles, California for the 2024 Genesis Invitational. Amongst the buzz surrounding this event, like Tiger Woods’ withdraw and Hideki Matsuyama’s comeback win, another story left spectators stunned. With one error in his scorecard, Jordan Spieth was disqualified from the tournament. Despite a promising start, Spieth’s pursuit of a 14th PGA Tour title ended prematurely.

What Happened?

According to Xander Schauffele, who was paired up with Spieth for the second round, he told reporters that Spieth “was really sick and he had a rough last hole.” As soon as he returned from a quick break at the end of the second round, it was revealed that Spieth’s scorecard was marked incorrectly, and incidentally signed off on. Under Rule 3.3b (3) of the USGA Rules of Golf, signing off on an incorrect scorecard in which your score would be lower than the actual score is grounds for disqualification in any event. On the flip side, submitting a scorecard in which your score is marked higher than you actually played, results in accepting that as your new score. Either way, maintaining an accurate scorecard is important for any age and in any event.

Enthusiasts have spoken out calling it the “dumbest rule in all of sports,” which sparked the everlasting debate once again. Whether you are opposed to the rule or not, this example goes to show the importance of keeping an accurate scorecard. Accuracy is essentially speaking to the integrity of the sport of golf.

Spieth took to X (formerly Twitter) regarding the incident, saying:

Although it was likely a complete accident which resulted in Spieth’s scorecard error, there are ways in which golfers can try their best to avoid scorecard mistakes. Famously, we look to the 1968 Masters when Roberto De Vicenzo’s playing partner, Tommy Aaron, incorrectly recorded one of the Argentinian’s final round birdies as a par. Missing this inconsistency, De Vicenzo unintentionally sealed Bob Goalby as the title winner. Nothing so infamous has transpired in the decades since, but incidents, like what we just saw with Spieth at the Genesis Invitational, do occasionally occur.

Why Juniors Should Develop a Process to Check and Validate their Official Scorecard:

Filling out a scorecard is not an action exclusive to the Pros. Every event, no matter the age, will require the knowledge to accurately fill out a scorecard, whether you are marking for another player or checking your own numbers. There is a sense of responsibility when you are playing in any tournament. You are not only responsible for checking someone else’s scorekeeping, but you will be watching and reporting scores for another player. It is important to understand the rulings, where the ball is, and what you are responsible for when it comes to keeping a scorecard. Don’t be afraid to ask the player you are marking for what they scored if you are unsure of a result. Although you should always try your best to be diligent, there may be times when a score gets overlooked.

In regards to your own score, the first thing you should do when playing in an event is to check your scores after every round. You can get swept up in the moment and forget all about your scorecard, thinking that your marker is recording everything timely and accurately. By creating a personalized process, you are also developing a habit that will benefit you the more you play.

Photo Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

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