WATCH: Jordan Spieth Finds Tree Trouble At Augusta National

WATCH: Jordan Spieth Finds Tree Trouble At Augusta National

Jordan Spieth Tree Trouble
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Jordan Spieth's ambitious shot from the trees backfired as the ball ricocheted back and nearly hit him during his first round of the Masters.

WATCH: Jordan Spieth Finds Tree Trouble At Augusta National

The 2015 champion had been going along nicely at one-under-par during the opening round of the Masters, with two birdies being cancelled out by just a single bogey.

But disaster would strike on the par-4 ninth hole, with Spieth losing his footing and blocking his drive deep into the trees to the right of the fairway.

After finding his ball, Spieth was left with either a simple chip out onto the fairway or an extremely optimistic gap through the trees.

Watch the American's shot below:

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After a lengthy discussion with his caddie Michael Greller, Spieth went for the optimistic route which would require a punch shot under several trees from the pine straw.

As he set up to his shot, Sky Sports commentator, Butch Harmon, jokingly said: "So you think when he swings at this he ducks so it doesn't come back at him or what?!"

However, Harmon's call proved correct, with the American's shot clattering into the tree in front of him and flying back over his head.

Related: What Is Jordan Spieth Wearing?

With the ball finishing some 40-yards behind him, Spieth would trudge back to find his ball with a slightly bigger opening through the trees this time.

The shot he played left a lot to be desired though, with Harmon saying: "I know he's Jordan Spieth, but come on man!"

Jordan Spieth Tree Trouble

Spieth won the Masters in 2015. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Playing his third shot, Spieth would carve a low iron just short of the green with a possibility of an unlikely bogey.

His fourth shot was well played, leaving himself around 10-feet for the bogey, but miraculously Spieth would three-putt from a range that he is usually so confident from. Eventually finishing with a triple bogey and a two-over-par front nine.

Related: The Masters Tee Times: Round Two

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

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