Zach Johnson Seemingly Convinced Jordan Spieth to Switch Clubs at the Ryder Cup and Fans Lost It

The Internet could not handle the U.S. captain’s apparent coaching strategy, but Johnson said afterward he didn't tell Spieth what club to hit.

A bizarre scenario unfolded on Saturday at the Ryder Cup as Zach Johnson appeared on television to convince Jordan Spieth to switch clubs on the 16th tee—from a driver to a 3-wood—only for him to hit the shot into the water hazard just short of the drivable par-4. 

Spieth and Thomas were facing Justin Rose and Robert MacIntyre, and the Americans likely would have needed an eagle to win the hole and extend the match.

When asked about that moment on the broadcast afterward, Johnson said he didn't tell Spieth to switch clubs. "I'm not telling Jordan Spieth what club to hit. You come up with phrases to build some confidence," he said.

Spieth and Thomas ultimately tied the hole with the Europeans and lost the match 3 and 2. 

Both U.S. players looked baffled by the result of the tee shot as it splashed into the water, but TV commentators and social media users were simply stunned. 

Former U.S. Ryder Cup team member Hunter Mahan couldn’t believe it, while working as an analyst on the world feed broadcast. “I’m not sure I made myself clear how dumfounded I am by that decision,” Mahan said. “I just have no idea what was going on there.”

Hunter Mahan on world feed going all in on wondering why Spieth hit 3-wood instead of driver on 16 -- with input from Zach -- and then hitting in the water. "I'm not sure I made myself clear how dumfounded I am by that decision.. . I just have no idea what was going on there.''

— Bob Harig (@BobHarig) September 30, 2023

Graeme McDowell, a past European Team member and current LIV golfer, weighed in.

Can only imagine that Zach was suggesting long and left was dead and that the Europeans weren’t in great shape, so 3 wood short would leave an easier pitch? But at 3 down with 3 to go you got to stay more aggressive? Scenes.

— Graeme McDowell (@Graeme_McDowell) September 30, 2023

Here are some more reactions from the strange scene on the 16th tee.

TALKED HIM OUT OF DRIVER AND HE HITS IT IN THE WATER??!??!?!

— Shane Bacon (@shanebacon) September 30, 2023

 

So, just to outline why I think this was probably bad advice...

- Jordan has a short right miss tendency
- Hazard on the hole is also short right
- Been spraying tee shots all day
- Ranks 67th in Driving Distance

Not sure 'club down' is the solution I'd land on, personally https://t.co/VNSTJ5pHOv

— LKD (@LukeKerrDineen) September 30, 2023

Zach Johnson telling the best players in the world what to hit like he’s a college golf coach?

— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) September 30, 2023

Allow me to add a couple things here...

-Your team is getting killed
-You're 3 down with 3 holes to play
-Your opponent has already DRIVEN THE GREEN

Truly one of the most baffling things I've ever seen. https://t.co/Hwsfr92CPy

— Alex Myers (@AlexMyers3) September 30, 2023

pic.twitter.com/CrTjgkCDTS

— Shane Ryan (@ShaneRyanHere) September 30, 2023

You know it's bad when even Greller can't believe what he's hearing https://t.co/Zr06Q6Ogac pic.twitter.com/z9nDAkZhYf

— Joel Beall (@JoelMBeall) September 30, 2023

I don't know what's worse coaching

Convincing a player to lay up when you are dormie and your opponent hit it on the green.

Or

Talking a player into clubbing down and them coming up 50 yards short of the hole location into the water.

— Andy Johnson (@AndyTFE) September 30, 2023

“You’re 3 down with 3 to play and your opponent has driven the green. Your partner is safe. What do you think about laying up?”

— Mark Baldwin (@markbaldwin1) September 30, 2023

“Hit 3-wood for the content” pic.twitter.com/ztgwJqj3Jk

— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) September 30, 2023

Ladies and gentlemen, Zach Johnson! pic.twitter.com/onw8YRCLLe

— Tron Carter (@TronCarterNLU) September 30, 2023

The magic touch! https://t.co/ALRgkRiYgd pic.twitter.com/94PzcFNyhD

— Brendan Porath (@BrendanPorath) September 30, 2023