Scottie Scheffler concedes 32-foot putt after fan yelled in Nico Echavarria's back swing - Golfweek

MEDINAH, IL – If there were an award for good sportsmanship at the Presidents Cup, American Scottie Scheffler would win that prize too.

On Sunday, the world No. 1 conceded a 32-foot par putt on the 14th hole at Medinah No. 3 to his International Team opponent Nico Echavarria in Sunday singles. The Colombian golfer said it "shows the character of the No. 1 in the world. He's just different. He's a good person overall. Even how good he is, he's a truly amazing guy."

Scheffler did so for good reason. As Echavarria was teeing off at the hole, a fan yelled in the middle of the Colombian’s back swing and he dropped his club in disgust as his ball flared way right. Scheffler expressed his dissatisfaction, walking towards the culprit and telling him that such behavior was uncalled for at the Presidents Cup.

When the match initially concluded, Scheffler didn't want to talk about the incident and only said, "There's no place for that in our game and I'll leave it at that." Later, he elaborated, saying, "It's just ridiculous, somebody yelling in his swing off the tee. There's absolutely no place for that. You should get 30 seconds to a minute when you're over the ball or getting ready to hit your shot where there's some silence, and it's just frustrating."

While Echavarria reached the back of the green in three, it was unlikely he would have sunk the long-range putt. Scheffler still could have won the hole had he made his birdie effort but missed from closer range. 

“A pure touch of class,” said NBC’s on-course reporter John Wood.

Scheffler held a 3-up lead at the time, and had made birdies on five of the first 10 holes to build a lead. Echavarria chipped in for birdie at 16 to stretch the match another hole before Scheffler closed out the match 2 and 1.

When Scheffler's wife, Meredith, was informed of Scheffler's sportsmanlike gesture, she said, "That makes me want to cry."

Adam Schupak is a Golfweek senior writer covering the PGA Tour and the Presidents Cup.