Sky Sports Golf analyst Wayne Riley described Jordan Spieth as “temperamental” after an on-course argument this year at The Players Championship
The former world No. 1 was playing alongside Rory McIlroy when the Northern Irishman found himself in a spot of bother at TPC Sawgrass.
He was six-under but a tee shot found the water, with McIlroy consulting with Spieth and Viktor Hovland over where to take a drop. Players should identify the point where the ball crossed from land to water, but conflicting opinions soon arose.
There was a suggestion that McIlroy’s tee shot started and stayed over the water from the moment it left the club, before the trio concluded that it crossed approximately 200 yards up the fairway and McIlroy was spared from another shot from the tee box.
Spieth was unconvinced, however, while Sky’s chief on-course reporter was asked for his opinion. He agreed with the idea that it crossed up the fairway, but held his hands up when Spieth continued to probe.
Explaining the incident on TV, the analyst dubbed ‘Radar’ explained: “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!”
After the penalty drop, McIlroy then found the green and two-putted for a bogey, but controversy reared its head again as McIlroy found the water once more on the seventh hole.
The four-time Major winner was adamant the ball bounced before hitting the water, which would have given him a more favourable drop. TV cameras confirmed to Spieth that the ball bounced before the line and McIlroy should drop further back.
“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],” Spieth said. “That’s why I thought we should check so you don’t take a bad drop.”
McIlroy was then informed by an official that due to the lack of evidence, players would have to make the decision and he proceeded with his original drop.
He later said: “I think Jordan was just trying to make sure that I was doing the right thing. I was pretty sure that my ball had crossed where I was sort of dropping it. It’s so hard, right, because there was no TV evidence.
“If anything I was being conservative with it. I think at the end of the day we’re all trying to protect ourselves, protect the field, as well.
“I was adamant, but I guess I started to doubt myself a little bit. I was like, ‘OK, did I actually see what I thought I saw?’. It is a bit of a (television) blind spot. I think the best view was from the tee, which was the view that we had.
“I’m comfortable. I think that’s the most important thing.”
