Jordan Spieth toilet emergency scorecard disqualification led to PGA Tour rule change
Jordan Spieth will not play the third round of the Genesis Invitational for the second year running. In 2025, it is because the American golfer shot six-over-par on Thursday and Friday, missing the halfway cut. But in 2024, it was because Spieth needed the toilet. The three-time major winner was disqualified from the signature event for signing an incorrect scorecard – and it ultimately triggered a rule change.
Professional golfers now have 15 minutes to correct any errors on their scorecards after handing it in, even if they’ve left the scoring area.
Previously, handing in a scorecard with errors on to officials led to a golfer’s automatic disqualification
At last year’s edition of the Genesis, Spieth was caught out by the old rule despite what many felt to be a valid excuse.
The scorecard he handed in to officials at Riviera Country Club recorded a par on a hole he actually bogeyed. Speith allegedly left the scoring hut in a hurry because he had to run to the bathroom. “Rules are rules, and I take full responsibility,” Spieth wrote on social media at the time. “I love this tournament and golf course as much as any on the PGA Tour, so it hurts to not have a run at the weekend.”
He was disqualified on the spot, but under the new rules, he would now have 15 minutes to realise his mistake and make the required changes.
The PGA Tour officially announced the rule switch in June 2024 – and even referenced the Spieth incident in their explanation to players.
In a statement, the PGA Tour said: “A new amendment will allow PGA TOUR players a 15-minute window to correct an error on their scorecard, even if they have left the defined scoring area.
