Chaska, Minnesota ..
Jordan Spieth stripped off his shoes and socks only to be slapped with a controversial penalty and lose his Singles match against Swede Henrik Stenson.
The double Major winning American was 2 down to the Swede when he found the water guarding the green with his approach at the par five, 16th at Hazeltine.
But in taking off his shoes and socks, and also rolling up his trousers, Spieth stepped into the hazard only to see his ball slightly sink further into muddy bottom.
Jordan Spieth is deemed to have moved his ball when stepping into the water hazard. (Photo – www.rydercup.com)
European Tour rules official, Jose Zamaro was called and after establishing Spieth’s actions indicated the American needed to call a penalty on himself.
But under the rules of ‘Match-Play’ that translates into a loss of the hole.
It meant Stenson being handed the hole and a 3 & 2 and in the process securing Europe’s first and badly needed point in the Singles shootout.
Stenson though not drawn into the controversy was thrilled to get Europe the point.
“We needed to get some blue on the board early,” he said.
“Hopefully, the other guys can turn things around. There’s still a lot of golf to be played. I’m very pleased with my performance as I played some excellent golf today.”
Stenson’s victory also handed Spieth his second straight Singles defeat after being beaten by Graeme McDowell at Gleneagles.
And Belgian-born Thomas Pieters made it two wins in succession in a row for Europe humbling J B Holmes in the match immediately behind Stenson and by the same 3 & 2 margin.
Darren Clarke’s wildcard pick certainly reaped dividends and with Pieters undefeated in his three matches.]
He’d been 1 down after five to Holmes before winning the 11th, 14th and 16th holes.
“I didn’t feel like a rookie this week, so that’s good,” he said.
