Swamp balls sink Ryan Palmer and Jordan Spieth at Zurich Classic of New Orleans

AVONDALE, La. – Jordan Spieth and Ryan Palmer were smiling away on the 17th tee on Friday at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans having ground their way to 8 under par and well in contention. While not playing their best, the duo had found a way to get it under par in the alternate shot format while many others struggled – and were geared up for a good finish and a run on the weekend. And then it all went pear-shaped. A loose 6-iron off the 17th tee from the multiple major winning Spieth found a watery grave and led to a double bogey. It hurt. But it wasn’t a death knell. Yet. On the final hole after Palmer found the fairway off the tee Spieth pushed a 4-iron into the water once more. After a penalty drop Palmer dumped a wedge shot into a fried egg lie near the green and Spieth left the ball in the sand trying to extricate it. Another double bogey and a 74 meant missing the cut by a shot. “I had a couple really bad swings,” Spieth lamented. “I cost our team an opportunity which really sucks given how hard we fought today. It’s not a good feeling. It’s much worse than if it’s just you.” Palmer refused to lay the blame at Spieth – saying his fellow Texan was the main reason they were even in a good spot to begin with. He hopes the partnership returns for a third time next year. “We both struggled a little bit all day, but our short games kept us there the whole time,” Palmer said. “It’s fun. It’s a blast. I wouldn’t trade anything in the world for him (as a partner). It’s the game of golf.” Spieth will next play at The PLAYERS Championship in a few weeks hoping for better form. “I struggled with my swing really both days. Just didn’t hit the ball well at all,” he said. “We held it together for a while and then it finally just came out. Unfortunately, all we needed was two more swings.”

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