Jordan Spieth couldn’t get the win at the Cognizant Classic as his being left out of the field for the Arnold Palmer Invitational was confirmed.
Spieth needed to win to get into the event at Bay Hill but despite playing well all weekend, he came up short of eventual winner, Joe Highsmith.
For Spieth, who is coming back from injury, simply playing well is good for him right now.
Indeed, Spieth admitted he feels his game is trending well and conceded he’d have taken 14-under for the tournament at the start of the week.
However, when asked specifically on being left off the invite list for the Arnold Palmer, Spieth couldn’t resist a little dig.
Jordan Spieth reacts after being left out of the Arnold Palmer Invitational
Speaking to the media in the aftermath of his final round, Jordan Spieth admitted he was gutted to be missing out on Bay Hill and appeared to take a slight pot-shot at the event organisers as he referenced his injury.
“I really do feel like I’m playing good golf at about 60 percent of the control tee to green that I’m capable of doing and still able to come to a very challenging golf course and hit nice shots and shoot under-par rounds. I’m one swing away on Friday from having a chance to win, and that was a 9-iron, which is just a 1-in-100 kind of chunk,” Spieth admitted.
“I feel really good. The Players, I’ve got to be more patient than I have in other years, and then Tampa will be good.
“I’m bummed not to be there next week. It’s been a great, great place for me, and I really wish I was getting that start, but I needed to play better injured golf last year, I guess.”
Golf fans call for Jordan Spieth exemption for the Arnold Palmer Invitational
As usual, the big players in golf get plenty of mentions on social media and Spieth’s performance has led to fans questioning the logic of not inviting him to Bay Hill.
One fan called for Spieth to be involved, suggesting he’s more chance of winning than some who are invited.
“Such a joke. Spieth is playing highly competitive golf but lets throw a few guys who will miss the cut instead.”
Another fan also fumed at the decision, wanting Spieth to be re-invited after his performance in Florida.
“We can’t make a special exception for a guy coming off an injury! Do better @PGATOUR”
While another referenced Tiger Woods’ injuries as reason to why Spieth deserved a shot.
“Not giving Spieth a sponsor’s exemption after coming back from injury/surgery is ridiculous. The dude is playing his way back with two top tens out of 4 events played. Made cut at 1st event back and missed cut with terrible weather. 2nd most popular golfer in the game. Tiger is 1!”
Finally, another Spieth fan was loving Spieth’s little dig at the event, suggesting he make it more than known he’s not happy.
“Hell yeah Jordan. Take it personally and make em pay”
How Rickie Fowler reacted to being left out of the Arnold Palmer Invitational
There might be an element of tongue-in-cheek from Spieth here but you can tell it stings for him not to be involved at Bay Hill.
However, while Spieth took a dig, Rickie Fowler reacted in a different way.
Rather than looking for excuses, Fowler simply admitted he’d not been good enough to get in.
“Well, at the end of the day, play better,” Fowler conceded. “It would be a lot easier just having played well last year and earned my way into these events.
“Been very fortunate and very thankful to Steve John at Pebble and AT&T to get a spot there and Tiger and Genesis to get the one at Torrey. But it’s tough to try and get all of them. Being able to get some of them is great.
“Yeah, it is what it is. Like I said, at the end of the day, play well and that’ll take care of it.
“Obviously I’m bummed that I won’t be there next week. It’s a special event, and obviously I had a very special relationship with Mr. Palmer. But we’ll see. We’ll see if we can get a trophy this week, and that would take care of that.”
Both Fowler and Spieth have not won on the PGA Tour for more than two years now and both will be hoping 2025 is the year that changes.
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