The Presidents Cup might be secondary to the Ryder Cup on most golf fans’ list but in terms of drama and controversy, it can be just as big. Just ask Jordan Spieth.
Three-time major winner Spieth is one of the most decorated players in the world and he’s competed in multiple Ryder and Presidents Cups along the way.
However, just like his career in the last few years, his appearances in such competitions haven’t always been plain sailing.
In fact, we just have to look back at the Presidents Cup in 2017 to see an example of Spieth getting involved in the controversy, for all the wrong reasons.
Jordan Spieth’s actions at the 2017 Presidents Cup that got him and Patrick Reed disqualified
Anyone who has played the game of golf knows that while it is a brilliant game and one we all love, some of the rulings at times can be a bit over the top.
We have seen countless arguments over the years about certain rules and how officials have imposed them.
However, back in 2017’s Presidents Cup and with Spieth and Reed looking set to tie the 12th hole at Liberty National, the American had a nightmare.
With Jason Day’s close range putt for birdie conceded by Spieth and playing partner Patrick Reed, Day’s partner Louis Oosthuizen then attempted a long-range eagle putt that sailed by the hole.
But with Spieth set to have an attempt at birdie to level the hole, he instead moved to pick up Oosthuizen’s moving ball with his putter before throwing the ball back to the South African.
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Remarkably, this was picked up the rules official – Andy McPhee – who pulled Spieth up on him stopping Oosthuizen’s ball in motion and ultimately disqualified him and Reed from the hole.
It was one of the more bizarre calls in Presidents Cup history but ultimately, the right one according to the rules.
Despite the arguments of vice-captain Tiger Woods, McPhee stuck by his decision, giving Day and Oosthuizen a one-hole lead going to 13.
Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed overcome controversy to beat Jason Day and Louis Oosthuizen
For most players, this ruling and controversy would have been enough to send them into meltdown with only six holes to play in a big team tournament.
However, Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth are stalwarts of American golf and in the end, they fought back valiantly to overcome the deficit and win out 2&1 in the end.
It added a vital point to the USA team’s total, albeit the final score of 19-11 to the USA means it would have mattered little had they not come back and won.
With Reed and Spieth both left out of the 2025 Ryder Cup, it will be interesting to see if either player makes a big push ahead of 2027 to get themselves involved.
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