A spectator at the Memorial Tournament narrowly avoided disaster on Sunday when a mis-struck Jordan Spieth iron shot came within a whisker of hitting him at high speed. Spieth's fourth and final round got off to a chaotic start as his drive strayed miles to the right, leaving him in thick rough.

Even though it was a tough lie for Spieth to make pure contact, a number of fans gathered in an area which was directly on the path between the American and the pin 168 yards away. The ball came off the club face like a rocket, much lower than intended, and flew inches over the head of a yellow-shirted spectator whose life seemingly flashed before his eyes.

The fan sat on the ground collecting his thoughts as Spieth's body visibly tensed up, perhaps realising how close he had come to a horror show.

Sky Sports Golf commentator Dame Laura Davies said: "Ooh! It's funny because I looked at those people and thought, after that tee shot, they're a bit brave here! And well, that guy moves so quickly. I think it missed everyone!"

A pained Andrew Coltart added: "Goodness me, I hope so. He was full of confidence but never got the connection at all. Hopefully everybody is OK. Jordan, what are you doing?"

Despite his dreadful drive and wayward approach, Spieth somehow went on to make par at the first and continue his charge for the title. The 31-year-old started his final round at Muirfield Village Golf Club within striking distance of leader Scottie Scheffler.

And he came in for some stick on social media after his near-miss did the rounds. On X, @SKG_Blake wrote: "Darwin Award for anyone standing directly in front of Jordan Spieth at a golf tournament."

Fellow X user @OfficialTourPro added: "Driver way right - nearly kills a spectator - still makes par on the hole. The Jordan Spieth experience." And @brettcasey chimed in with: "Jordan Spieth is out here trying to take some fan's head off... no big deal!"

Spieth hung in there with the leaders in Ohio but his results have been hit-and-miss this year. The three-time major winner managed fourth at the Phoenix Open and The CJ Cup Byron Nelson, but has notched only one top-10 since the start of March, and he hasn't won on the PGA Tour since 2022.