In what could be one of the smartest moves in his young career and Jordan Spieth elected to mark his ball rather than complete the 18th hole due to darkness descending on day two of the Hero World Challenge here at Windermere in Florida.

It was around 5.45pm local time with Spieth and playing partner Zach Johnson the only two left among 18 competitors left on the Isleworth Course.

Both players quizzed PGA Tour rules official Mark Wilson that if they marked their ball what time would be he restart.  Wilson confirmed 10.15am Saturday morning local time.

However the decision by Johnson, and the event’s defending champion, proved costly as he bogeyed the hole in a round of 71 to drop back into a share of eighth place on six under par.

But Spieth was staring at a difficult chip shot just off the front edge of the 18th green and advised Johnson he would be marking his ball and return in the morning.

“We were in the last group and it was getting so dark we thought the horn would have been blown on the 16th green but then I don’t know if the TV cameras did it just but it was pretty dark out there,” he said.

“But then if I had the decision over again I may have stopped on 17 but with a trick lie there at the front of 18 and it being down grain, I thought it would be a good decision to come back and hit that pitch shot tomorrow.

“It was my caddy, Michael who made the decision and when I couldn’t really see the flagstick for 30-feet away, and given the course is muddy after all the rain we had and given it was a tricky lie we thought it best to mark the ball.

“If I had of been on the green I may have putted out but setting a wedge down behind the ball would have been very tricky and trying to strike that shot correctly.

“So I think it was the right decision, and it was Michael who made the decision so I will come back in the morning.”