PGA Tour Amends Rule on Incorrect Scorecards (aka the Jordan Spieth Rule), Effective Immediately
The PGA Tour is updating its rule on when a scorecard is considered returned, informally known as the Jordan Spieth rule.
This change follows Spieth’s disqualification from the Genesis Invitational in February after signing an incorrect scorecard. Spieth, a three-time major winner and member of the Tour’s policy board, signed for a par on the par-3 4th hole at Riviera Country Club but had actually made a bogey after missing a 5-foot putt. He later admitted to hastily signing his card for one stroke less than the 2-over 73 he shot due to needing to use the restroom.
Under the new rule, a player will have 15 minutes to return to the scoring area after leaving it to correct any errors.
Traditionally, a player’s scorecard is considered ‘returned’ once they leave the defined scoring area across all tours and major golf organizations. In an email to players and on the player internal website, the Tour explained it has been collaborating with the USGA, R&A, and DP World Tour to amend this definition, aiming to reduce penalties or disqualifications related to scorecard errors.
The Tour announced a 15-minute window for players to correct errors on their scorecard, even if they have left the scoring area. The specifics are as follows:
- If a scorecard is validated in the scoring system and the player has left the scoring area, they may return to correct an error within 15 minutes of validation.
- If a player has left the scoring area and an error is identified before the scorecard is validated, they may return to correct it within 15 minutes of the error being identified by the scoring official.
- If a player is in the scoring area when the 15 minutes expire, their scorecard is considered returned once they leave the scoring area.
The Tour clarified that players will generally have 15 minutes to correct an error, though exceptions may apply in situations like releasing tee times after the cut, starting a playoff, or at the close of competition.
This rule change is effective immediately on all PGA Tour sanctioned circuits as well as on the DP World Tour. Tour pro Michael Kim praised the change on social media, saying, “I think it is way better this way. Hopefully, no more scorecard DQ’s in the future.”
However, not everyone is satisfied. Tour pro Andrew Putnam criticized the rule, stating, “Such a dumb rule. In what other sport do players keep their scores? We all have walking scorers with every group and every shot is calculated to the yard. C’mon people.”
The most infamous penalty for a scorecard error involved Roberto De Vicenzo, who missed out on a playoff with Bob Goalby to settle the 1968 Masters. Thanks to this rule amendment, the likelihood of another “What a stupid I am!” moment has been significantly reduced.
