Rory McIlroy's coach takes dim view of Jordan Spieth's DQ
Rory McIlroy's putting coach Brad Faxon has weighed in on Jordan Spieth's controversial disqualification during the Genesis Invitational.
Rory McIlroy's putting coach Brad Faxon took a hard-line stance on Jordan Spieth's recent disqualification.
The American was booted out of Tiger Woods' PGA Tour event after the second round for signing an incorrect scorecard.
It later appeared an ill Spieth being bounced out of the Genesis Invitational may have been prompted by a desperation to visit the bathroom.
Still, Spieth saw the funny side of the whole thing eventually. But his DQ has led to some suggesting the rules need to be softened in this regard.
Afterall, every single shot is tracked on the PGA Tour. In other words, we have got the technology, we might as well use it.
Faxon appears to be a traditionalist and told Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio the rules do not need to be changed.
Like McIlroy, Faxon thinks knowing the rules of golf should be 'a badge of honour'.
He explained: "If you asked every single one of the players, 'Are you OK with signing a correct scorecard while you are in the scorer's tent?'
"I think you're going to get a 100 per cent response of 'Yes, I think that's a good idea.'
"I play squash and we have these 'Let' calls when a player gets in your way or kind of impedes you getting to the ball, but that's subjective, right?
"It's not like a clear shot that's a winner. You can get into some discrepancies there, but what number is on the scorecard is not like that. It's clear cut.
"I still love the idea that knowing the rules of golf should be a badge of honour that can help you in all of these situations.
"You can't get away with anything now if you're a top player because [TV] is always watching you."
Wise words... https://t.co/yyyDXnxxDw
— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) February 18, 2024
Asked about Spieth's DQ, McIlroy said although he has been close, he has never signed an incorrect scorecard in his professional career.
He has also never missed a tee time but a few weeks ago at Pebble Beach he took a wrong drop.
So how does he view Spieth's DQ? "I can see both sides of it," he said.
"You know, if we're really trying to keep this game like unbifurcated and trying to -- you know, the pros play by the same rules as the amateurs, then we all need to keep our playing partners' scorecards and we're responsible for that."
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