5 Heart-Stopping Details About Jordan Spieth's Errant Shot That Nearly Ended A Fan's Day

Jordan Spieth, one of golf's most beloved and intense competitors, gave spectators a heart-stopping moment at the Memorial Tournament earlier this year, specifically on Sunday, the final round, when an errant iron shot came terrifyingly close to hitting a fan. The incident, which quickly circulated via fan-shot POV video, highlighted the sheer speed and danger of a professional golf ball, turning a casual Sunday viewing into a brush with disaster. This near-miss incident at the Memorial Tournament is a stark reminder of the thin line between an incredible golf shot and a serious spectator injury. The fan's perspective footage captured the sheer velocity of Spieth's ball, which ducked and weaved through the crowd before narrowly missing a spectator's head, prompting gasps and shouts across the course.

Jordan Spieth: Professional Golfer Biography & Profile

Jordan Alexander Spieth is one of the most decorated American professional golfers of his generation, known for his masterful short game, intense on-course demeanor, and ability to hit spectacular recovery shots.

• Full Name: Jordan Alexander Spieth
• Date of Birth: July 27, 1993
• Age (as of December 2025): 32
• Birthplace: Dallas, Texas, U.S.
• Residence: Dallas, Texas, U.S.
• Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
• Weight: 185 lb (84 kg)
• College: University of Texas at Austin
• Turned Pro: 2012
• Major Championships Won: 3 (2015 Masters, 2015 U.S. Open, 2017 Open Championship)
• PGA Tour Wins: 13 (as of the most recent season)
• Current Tour: PGA Tour
• Notable Achievements: Fed-Ex Cup Champion (2015), World No. 1 (2015), youngest player to win the Masters since Tiger Woods.

The Terrifying Near-Miss at the Memorial Tournament

The incident that has everyone talking occurred during the final round of the Memorial Tournament. Spieth, known for his aggressive play, was attempting a difficult shot from the rough when his ball took a violent, unexpected turn towards the gallery.

The specific hole has not been widely publicized, but the footage confirms the shot was an errant iron strike. The ball flew directly into a densely packed area of spectators standing deep in the rough, right at the edge of the fairway.

A golf ball hit by a professional like Spieth can travel at speeds exceeding 175 mph. At that velocity, a direct hit to the head or face could be catastrophic, causing severe injury or worse. The terrifying footage shows the ball whizzing past the fan's head, missing by mere inches.

The spectators, who were watching from a precarious position, were sent scrambling and ducking for cover. The footage is a visceral reminder of the need for heightened awareness when watching professional golf, especially when players are hitting from the rough or navigating tricky lies.

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The Fan's POV Video Goes Viral

What made this particular near-miss go viral was the fan-shot video from the perspective of the spectator closest to the action. This POV video captured the heart-stopping trajectory of the ball.

The footage shows the ball appearing as a white blur, rapidly expanding in size as it hurtles toward the camera. One moment, the fan is watching Spieth, and the next, they are reacting to a potentially life-altering projectile. The sound of the ball whooshing past is as alarming as the visual.

The video served as a powerful public service announcement, illustrating just how quickly an errant shot can become a major safety hazard. It’s a vivid depiction of the kind of danger spectators face when they position themselves close to the action, particularly on holes where players might be forced to hit a recovery shot.

Why Golf Spectator Safety is Always a Hot Topic

The Jordan Spieth almost hits fan incident is just the latest in a long line of near-misses and actual strikes that plague the PGA Tour. While golf is generally a safe sport for viewers, the physics of a small, hard ball traveling at extreme speeds means that safety is paramount.

Professional golf tours, including the PGA Tour, constantly stress the importance of spectator awareness. The primary rule for any fan is to always be aware of the player's line of sight and to listen for warnings. When a ball is headed toward a gallery, the traditional shout of "Fore!" is the only warning spectators get.

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However, as seen in this spieth spectator near-miss, sometimes the ball is simply too fast, and the warning comes too late. This is especially true for shots hit from the rough, where the player often cannot see the crowd clearly, and the ball's trajectory is less predictable than from the fairway.

The Impact of Errant Shots on Players and Fans

The mental toll of nearly injuring a spectator is significant for professional golfers. While Spieth's immediate reaction at the Memorial Tournament was not widely broadcast, golfers consistently express deep concern and relief when a ball misses the crowd. They are fully aware of the power they wield with every swing.

The fan who was almost hit, while likely shaken, became part of a viral moment. The experience is a stark reminder for everyone else on the course: always keep your eyes on the ball, even if you are trying to capture a video of your favorite player.

This incident also adds to the list of Spieth's memorable fan interactions. While the Memorial Tournament incident was a near-disaster, Spieth has had other, less serious, but equally viral moments, such as when he accidentally struck a spectator in the groin with his putter at the Masters—an incident that, thankfully, resulted in no serious injury and drew laughs from the crowd after Spieth's apologetic fist bump.

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Key Takeaways for Spectators After Spieth's Near-Miss

The Memorial Tournament fan incident provides crucial lessons for anyone attending a professional golf event. The thrill of being close to the action must be balanced with an understanding of the inherent risks.

Here are the five most important safety tips based on the nature of this errant shot:

1. Never Stand Directly in a Player's Line: Avoid positioning yourself in areas where a player is hitting from deep rough or a difficult angle, as the ball's flight path is highly unpredictable.
2. Listen for "Fore!": This is the universal warning. If you hear it, immediately cover your head and duck; do not try to locate the ball.
3. Be Wary of Iron Shots: While drivers are fast, iron shots from the rough or trees can be just as dangerous, often flying lower and with less predictable spin, as was the case with the Jordan Spieth almost hits fan moment.
4. Keep Your Phone Down: While the POV video was compelling, filming the players while they are hitting can distract you from the immediate danger of a fast-approaching ball.
5. Respect the Ropes and Marshals: The ropes and marshals are there to define the safe viewing areas. Stay behind them and follow all instructions given by course officials.

Ultimately, the near-miss at the Memorial Tournament was a close call that, thankfully, ended without tragedy. It serves as a powerful cautionary tale, ensuring that the next time you attend a PGA Tour event, you remember the sheer velocity of a golf ball and prioritize your safety above all else.