PGA Tour Player Putts Into Water Before Chipping In And Withdrawing From Event
Maverick McNealy may have produced one of the most bizarre moments of 2023


Golf is a bizarre and humbling game at the best of times, with the ability to go from hero-to-zero just one shot away. At the Waste Management Phoenix Open, that was the case with Maverick McNealy, as the American did something that we rarely see, especially on the professional circuit.
Sitting near the cut line, McNealy would need a strong finish to make the weekend but, with playing conditions extremely difficult at TPC Scottsdale, it was going to be tough for scores to be made. At the par 3 12th, that appeared to be the case as the American putted his ball into the water from on the green!
From putting it in the water to a chip-in bogey save.A roller-coaster hole for Maverick McNealy 🎢 pic.twitter.com/FbcvMnR6r1February 10, 2023
Throughout Friday, the wind had been causing havoc on the course, with current leader, Scottie Scheffler, seeing his ball somehow roll off the green to the right after it had landed well left of the flag.
For McNealy, it was a similar predicament, as his lengthy birdie putt on the 12th hole rolled towards the flag. Playing downhill and downwind, the putt was struck cleanly and, just as it seemed to be stopping, a strong gust pushed it further on causing the announcers to shout: “Oh no, oh wow!” His ball eventually dropped into the water that guards the right hand side of the green.
Putting the putter back in the bag, the 27-year-old took a drop before picking out his wedge. From there, McNealy struck a crisp chip that clattered the flag and dropped in for a bogey four.
A post shared by PGA TOUR (@pgatour)
A photo posted by on
However, as if that moment wasn't bizarre enough, just a few moments later McNealy would, in fact, withdraw from the tournament, citing a “left shoulder injury”.
Scottie Scheffler currently leads the tournament with World No.3, Jon Rahm, in hot pursuit. Both men have the chance to leapfrog Rory McIlroy to the top of the World Rankings, with McIlroy seven back of Scheffler, although he does have five holes to complete of round two, on Saturday.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
-
Who Is Bud Cauley's Wife?
PGA Tour star Bud Cauley has been married to wife Kristi since 2021 - get to know her better here
By Mike Hall Published
-
Keegan Bradley Makes Second Hole-In-One Of 2025 At Another Iconic Venue
Keegan Bradley made an ace in the final round of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass - and it's not the only iconic venue he's achieved it at this year
By Mike Hall Published
-
Rory McIlroy Reunited With Old Clubs After Near $1000 Uber Ride
The four-time Major winner switched back to his old clubs at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, with the Uber trip to get them costing a near $1000
By Matt Cradock Published
-
College Golfer Apologizes After Being Removed From TPC Sawgrass For Heckling Rory McIlroy
University of Texas golfer, Luke Potter made a comment to McIlroy during Tuesday's practice round which caused the World No.2 to take his phone
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'Something Went Terribly Wrong If I Have To Compete At 50' - Rory McIlroy Categorically Rules Out Playing Senior Tour Golf
Asked about his long-term plans, the Northern Irishman insisted he would not be visiting the Champions Tour once he's retired from pro golf
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
How Much The Winning Caddie Makes At The Arnold Palmer Invitational
The bumper prize funds at Signature Events like the Arnold Palmer Invitational also mean bumper bonus checks for the winner's caddie
By Paul Higham Published
-
'One Of The Great Things About Golf Is I Can Go Out With A Guy Who Is Going To Shoot 90 And I Can Give Him Enough Strokes To Where We'll Have A Good Competition' - Scottie Scheffler On Losing To 10-Handicap Friend
Scottie Scheffler insists "one of the great things about golf" is the handicap system, even if it did cost him money and an embarrassing loss to a 10 handicapper
By Paul Higham Published
-
Jon Rahm's Legion XIII Signs Landmark LIV Equipment Deal With Callaway
Callaway is the first manufacturer to sign up with a LIV Golf team after partnering with Jon Rahm and his Legion XIII side
By Paul Higham Published
-
Rory McIlroy Reveals Multiple Equipment Changes At Arnold Palmer Invitational
The Northern Irishman has made a number of tweaks to his gear setup ahead of this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'I Don't Think The PGA Tour Needs A Deal. I Think The Momentum Is Pretty Strong' - Rory McIlroy On PGA Tour-PIF Deal And Why He's Adding An Extra Tournament To His Schedule
The four-time Major winner had plenty to say on a range of subjects affecting the men's elite game - here are six of the key talking points
By Mike Hall Published