Justin Thomas kicks ball in Ryder Cup match but receives no penalty?!
Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth were involved in an interesting rules debate on day two of the 2023 Ryder Cup at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.
We knew it wouldn't take long until there was a rules debate or a bit of controversy at this Ryder Cup.
Team USA captain Zach Johnson ruffled some feathers when he appeared to blame a sickness bug after his team's sloppy start saw the red, white and blue trailing by five points after day one at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.
Brooks Koepka then decided to take a dig at Spanish World No.2 Jon Rahm, describing the 2023 Masters champion as 'a child'.
Both captains have now weighed in on what was annoying Koepka.
We got our first rules debate on Saturday morning as Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas lined up against Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood in the morning fourballs.
McIlroy and Fleetwood beat Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele 2&1 in Friday's anchor match.
And they got off to a hot start on day two as well and were three up after four holes.
The U.S. duo pulled one back at the fourth hole with a birdie but combined to make a double bogey six on No. 6.
So what happened there? Spieth hit his tee shot into the thick rough on the left hand side of the fairway.
After a few minutes they found the ball, marked with three red dots and a black line.
They argued the ball was embedded and asked for a drop.
Said Spieth: "Only part of it has to be embedded right?"
The rules official could be heard saying the ball had to 'break the surface'.
Fleetwood was standing next to the pair, listening intently.
Spieth had already picked up the ball to identify it before trying to argue calling the official over.
The rules official was having none of it and refused the drop.
Said Thomas: "Can we get a second opinion please?"
Tommy Fleetwood just stood watching Thomas and Spieth get a ruling on their ball pic.twitter.com/ykJRQMz1Qp
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) September 30, 2023
Spieth was informed that he had to 'feel the impression of the ball' to determine whether the ball was embedded. Spieth was happy to continue.
But Thomas wasn't and asked for a second opinion.
After two opinions from two different rules officials it was determined the ball wasn't. Play on, gentlemen.
Spieth said to Fleetwood: "Are you okay with where I put it back?" Fleetwood agreed.
From there Thomas didn't manage to get the ball out and he even accidentally kicked it. Team USA went on to lose the hole.
Watch the moment here:
— Tom (@flushingitpod) September 30, 2023
The golf rule has changed now, meaning Thomas and Spieth weren't penalised because it wasn't intentional.
After they finished the hole Team Europe were up in three of the four morning matches.
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Ben joined GolfMagic as Content Executive in September 2021 just before the Ryder Cup and has contributed significantly to the growth of the site. Ben now assumes our Content Manager role, specialising in PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf content.
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