Jordan Spieth received relief from fire ants after moving a loose rock on the par-4 12th hole during the second round of the Valero Texas Open. The ruling improved his lie and helped him post a 1-under 71 to advance. Officials confirmed the procedure under PGA Tour rules.
On Friday at TPC San Antonio’s Oaks Course, Spieth drove his tee shot into the native area right of the fairway on the par-4 12th, his third hole of the day. He and caddie Michael Greller found the ball next to a large rock, deemed a loose impediment since it was not embedded and could be moved. Together, they shifted it a few inches, with Spieth asking, “Want to try to do it together on [the count of] three?” to Greller. After the move, fire ants were near the ball, prompting relief under Rule 16.2 for dangerous animal conditions, which includes fire ants due to risk of serious injury. A presiding official approved a club-length drop, providing a better position than an unplayable lie. Commentators noted the break's potential impact, with one saying, “This could end up being a massive break,” and another estimating “90 percent of the field would have just taken an unplayable.” Spieth pitched safely to the fairway and settled for bogey 5 on the hole. A PGA Tour spokesperson confirmed: “There was a large rock near the ball and since it was not solidly embedded and could be moved easily, it was deemed a loose impediment by definition and was allowed to be moved. In addition, there were fire ants in that location, so he was granted relief (Rule 16.2).” The savvy ruling likely saved at least a stroke, as Spieth signed for 71 and made the 2-under cutline.