'I would have thrown a fit' - Spieth on USGA's Johnson distraction

Everyone watching at Oakmont had an opinion regarding the way the USGA [United States Golf Association] handled the situation with the penalty stroke ultimately called on champion Dustin Johnson.

Published : Jun 29, 2016 18:02 IST , London

American golfer Jordan Spieth
American golfer Jordan Spieth
lightbox-info

American golfer Jordan Spieth

Jordan Spieth revealed how furious he would have been if put in the same position as Dustin Johnson at the U.S. Open.

Everyone watching at Oakmont had an opinion regarding the way the USGA [United States Golf Association] handled the situation with the penalty stroke ultimately called on champion Johnson. Instead of telling Johnson his fate right away, they told him on the 12th tee box that he might get a penalty, casting a shadow of doubt on the entire competition.

Spieth, the world's second-ranked player, said he would not have hit another shot had that happened to him.

"I would have thrown a fit. I promise you, I would have thrown a fit," Spieth said on Tuesday at Firestone Country Club, via Golf Digest. "I wouldn't have hit another shot. I would have sat there like, 'This is not the way this goes. Let's figure this out right now'. You can't have a potential penalty or not. You've got to know in that case."

Though Johnson just went about his business and ultimately won, despite receiving the penalty stroke after his round, Spieth said the USGA made a mistake.

"I think that it was unfortunate the way it then played out, and they agree, and they said that," Spieth said. "And I think that what Dustin did was extremely special given that circumstance."

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment