Jordan Spieth ‘went berserk’ at analyst for Rory McIlroy intervention at Players Championship

Jordan Spieth was not happy with Sky Sports analyst Wayne Riley during the first of two rules debates with Rory McIlroy at The 2024 Players.

The three-time major winner was playing alongside McIlroy in the first round at TPC Sawgrass last yea when the Northern Irishman found trouble on 18.

Having started on the 10th hole, McIlroy quickly raced to six-under before his ninth tee shot found the water.

The world no.2 then consulted with Spieth and fellow playing partner Viktor Hovland to determine where to take a drop.

Players must identify the point where the ball crossed from land to water, but there were suggestions McIlroy’s tee shot started and stayed over the hazard from the moment it left the club.

This would mean McIlroy would be forced to take his third shot from the tee box – but all three players eventually agreed that it crossed about 200 yards up the fairway.

However, nobody appeared truly confident, with Spieth appearing particularly sceptical as McIlroy asked, ‘Did it cross?’

Ex-golfer Riley, now chief on-course reporter for Sky Sports, was asked for his opinion as the trio walked up the 18th and told them he thought it crossed 200 yards up the fairway.

Footage then showed him holding his hands up as Spieth appeared to give him a telling-off.

Reacting to the moment on Sky Sports, ‘Radar’ said with a laugh: “I got asked to say where it crossed and Jordan went berserk at me!

“He said, ‘How do you know, Radar? Where were you standing?’

“All I can do is answer the question. These temperamental golfers!”

After the penalty drop, McIlroy found the green and two-putted for a bogey, limiting the damage and maintaining his lead at the turn.

However, there would be more controversy and awkward exchanges at the 7th hole when McIlroy found the water once again.

Hovland and Spieth both entered more discussions with the tournament leader, who was adamant his ball bounced above the red line before going into the hazard, giving him a more favourable position from which to drop.

McIlroy could be heard saying he was ‘trying to do the right thing’, although he was ‘pretty comfortable he saw he bounce above the red line’.

Ryder Cup teammate Hovland said: “It was very close and I can’t say either way.”

Although he later added: “I thought it crossed by the turtles back there.”

Spieth then interjected by saying he spoke to TV crews who saw it bounce below the line, meaning McIlroy ought to drop further back, but that ‘didn’t matter’ because it was not on camera and the player’s view was the most important.

The American added: “Radar offered an opinion on 18 and I don’t mean to be a hypocrite, but the media people on the tee are saying they were certain [it bounced below the line].

“That’s why I thought we should check so you don’t take a bad drop.”

McIlroy was informed by a rules official that due to the lack of evidence on camera, the decision was ultimately down to them.

After eight minutes, everyone was ultimately satisfied that the rules were being followed correctly.

He would birdie his final hole to finish tied for the clubhouse lead at seven-under, alongside Xander Schauffele – and the pair were joined at the top by US Open champion Wyndham Clark by close of play.

Speaking afterwards, McIlroy said: “I think Jordan was just trying to make sure that I was doing the right thing.

“I was pretty sure that my ball had crossed where I was sort of dropping it. It’s so hard, right, because there was no TV evidence.

“If anything I was being conservative with it. I think at the end of the day we’re all trying to protect ourselves, protect the field, as well.

“I was adamant, but I guess I started to doubt myself a little bit. I was like, ‘OK, did I actually see what I thought I saw?’ It is a bit of a (television) blind spot. I think the best view was from the tee, which was the view that we had.”

Hovland and Spieth did not speak to the media after round one, while McIlroy added that his conscience was clear over the two incidents.