Jordan Spieth’s drive goes awry. Then a fan gets $20, a ball and a welt

Jordan Spieth’s week did not go the way he planned, going home empty-handed after missing the cut at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, his hometown tournament.

But one fan following Spieth Friday left TPC Craig Ranch with a $20 bill, a signed golf ball from the three-time major winner, a massive welt on his elbow and an incredible story.

It started when Spieth teed off on the 16th hole Friday at 5 under for the week, one shot off the eventual 36-hole cut.

On the 495-yard par-4, Spieth started his tee ball down the right side of the fairway. But in an all-too-relatable manner, Spieth’s gaze shifted to the right, he stretched his club in the same direction to signal to the gallery ahead.

“FORE!” he shouted.

“Get so lucky, please,” he begged.

Miraculously, it did.

The ball landed right of the fairway and kicked dead left, back into the short grass.

How?

“What did that hit, Colt?” Golf Channel analyst Johnson Wagner asked on-course reporter Colt Knost.

“That hit a gentleman’s forearm, I believe,” Knost replied.

Luckily for Spieth, his ball bounced off the elbow of a preoccupied spectator who was sitting on the ground right of the fairway. The spectator avoided serious injury, but Spieth’s lucky break came at the expense of a dark, golf-ball-sized welt on his left elbow.

But like a true Pro, Spieth went a little further than a signed glove for the fan, especially given how it kept his chances of making the cut alive.

Before hitting his second shot, Spieth found the fan along the rope line.

“Sorry about that,” the 13-time PGA Tour winner said, handing the man a signed golf ball and a $20 bill. “Beers on me.”

Judging by the look of that welt, he’ll need those beers for the rest of the weekend.

Unfortunately for Spieth, the lucky break was not enoguh to help him stick around for the weekend at the Nelson. His second found the green, but some 60-feet from the flag. His first putt didn’t get within 10 feet and he missed the lengthy par-saver.

That bogey dropped him to four under and he parred the final two holes to miss the weekend by two.

Jack Hirsh

Golf.com Editor

Jack Hirsh is an assistant editor at GOLF. A Pennsylvania native, Jack is a 2020 graduate of Penn State University, earning degrees in broadcast journalism and political science. He was captain of his high school golf team and recently returned to the program to serve as head coach. Jack also still *tries* to remain competitive in local amateurs. Before joining GOLF, Jack spent two years working at a TV station in Bend, Oregon, primarily as a Multimedia Journalist/reporter, but also producing, anchoring and even presenting the weather. He can be reached at jack.hirsh@golf.com.

 

 

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