{"id":16251,"date":"2023-03-24T12:11:56","date_gmt":"2023-03-24T12:11:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/thank-you-jordan-for-hitting-me-jordan-spieths-ball-hits-two-fans-and-breaks-a-phone-at-dell-match-play\/"},"modified":"2023-03-24T12:11:56","modified_gmt":"2023-03-24T12:11:56","slug":"thank-you-jordan-for-hitting-me-jordan-spieths-ball-hits-two-fans-and-breaks-a-phone-at-dell-match-play","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/?p=16251","title":{"rendered":"‘Thank you Jordan for hitting me’: Jordan Spieth’s ball hits two fans and breaks a phone at Dell Match Play"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n CNN<\/span>
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\n Look up a definition of \u201ceventful\u201d and you just may find a snapshot of Jordan Spieth\u2019s Thursday afternoon.\n <\/p>\n

\n Of the thousands of holes the American golfer has played throughout his glittering career, for sheer spectacle, few will have rivaled the seventh hole he played during the second day of the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play.\n <\/p>\n

\n Spieth arrived at the short par-three with a slender one-shot lead over compatriot Taylor Montgomery. The Dallas-born golfer was a home hero at Texas\u2019 Austin Country Club, and a large crowd had gathered around the green to catch a glimpse of the three-time major winner.\n <\/p>\n

\n And one fan in particular was about to get more than he bargained for.\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cI\u2019m watching Jordan tee off, excited to see Jordan play,\u201d the unnamed fan told<\/a> the PGA Tour.\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cHe tees off, I\u2019m watching him swing and everybody\u2019s saying, \u2018Hey it\u2019s coming long, it\u2019s coming long.\u2019\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cNext thing I know, it feels like somebody\u2019s dead legging me in the leg, I look down and see Jordan\u2019s trickling ball down and I was like, \u2018Oh crap, man, that hit my phone.\u2019\u201d\n <\/p>\n

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\n <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n Some 220 yards away at the tee, an aghast Spieth had watched as his tee shot went sailing into the gallery. According to broadcast commentary, the ball had initially hit one fan before ricocheting into the phone, leaving it \u201cshattered,\u201d the fan said.\n <\/p>\n

\n Yet the ball was still in play, settling on a nearby cart path. After a long discussion with rule officials, Spieth was afforded relief, dropping his ball next to a boulder.\n <\/p>\n

\n It left Spieth facing an awkward-looking chip onto the green, but only after checking in with the nearby crowd. After apologizing to the fan for breaking his phone, Spieth asked to exchange contact details after the round, the fan said.\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cIt was pretty surreal seeing Jordan and getting to talk to him and stuff,\u201d he added.\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cI was like, \u2018Hey don\u2019t worry about it. Just get up and down.\u2019\u201d\n <\/p>\n

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\n \"Spieth<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n Promise kept. Despite overshooting his approach, a stunning long putt saw Spieth save par and halve the hole.\n <\/p>\n

\n Unfortunately for the world No. 14, three consecutive lost holes down the back nine saw Montgomery rally to win 2&1. It means Spieth must now beat Ireland\u2019s Shane Lowry on Friday and hope Mackenzie Hughes \u2013 who he beat in the opening round \u2013 defeats Montgomery to force a three-man playoff and stand a chance of making the weekend.\n <\/p>\n

\n Regardless of the outcome, the hit fan is more than content, with a signed Spieth glove to show for a dead leg and a cracked phone.\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cHow cool is that? What a blessing, so thank you Jordan for hitting me man,\u201d he said.\n <\/p>\n

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\n \"Spieth<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n It marks the second time in a matter of weeks that a fan has had an unexpected meeting with Spieth\u2019s ball.\n <\/p>\n

\n Earlier in March at the Players Championship, Spieth looked to be sliding towards a disappointing missed cut when he teed off at TPC Sawgrass\u2019 ninth hole \u2013 and his last of the day \u2013 at two-over for the tournament.\n <\/p>\n

\n His misery looked set to be compounded when his tee shot went sailing towards the water, only for Spieth\u2019s fortunes to be changed by a most unlikely source: a fan\u2019s knee.\n <\/p>\n

\n The ball ricocheted back onto the fairway, and Spieth chipped in for a spectacular eagle that jumped him to even-par and sealed his safe passage into the weekend.\n <\/p>\n

\n A tied-19th finish marked a solid improvement, though for what would be the first of two times in March, Spieth would end the weekend a glove lighter after handing a souvenir to the fan.\n <\/p>\n

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\n \"Spieth<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n \u201cIt\u2019s the equivalent of flying [over] a green towards a hazard and hitting a grandstand and coming back on the green in a way,\u201d Spieth told reporters earlier in March at TPC Sawgrass.\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cTrying to get that guy\u2019s information and see literally whatever he wants this weekend because everything from here on out is because it hit him.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\n One player in Austin this week who will be able to relate to Spieth\u2019s bizarre rounds is Rory McIlroy, who is enjoying an excellent start after victories over Scott Stallings and Denny McCarthy.\n <\/p>\n

\n At the 150th Open Championship in July 2022, the Northern Irishman saw a tee drive grounded by an ancient stone at the St. Andrews Old Course and broke a PGA Tour employee\u2019s hand with a stray shot \u2013 all over the course of his first round.\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n