Keith Mitchell’s Hilarious 18th Hole Meltdown Is Pure Comedy Gold
Golfer Keith Mitchell Takes a Splash at the FedEx St. Jude Championship
What Happened on the 18th Hole?
On August 16, 2026, during the final round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, Tennessee, golfer Keith Mitchell found himself in a sticky—and wet—situation.
His tee shot on the 18th hole landed on the grass just a few feet from the water’s edge. Instead of taking a penalty drop or trying to hit from the awkward spot, Mitchell decided to go for it—literally.
How He Played the Shot
Here’s what Mitchell did, step by step:
- Took off his shoes and socks
- Rolled up his pant legs
- Stepped right into the water hazard to address his ball
- Swung away while standing in the shallow water
Important Callout
In golf, a water hazard (now often called a penalty area) is any body of water on the course—like a pond, creek, or lake. Players can play their ball from inside it if it’s playable, but it’s risky and very rare to see a pro actually wade in!
The Twist: His Next Shot Went in the Water
After successfully hacking out of the hazard, Mitchell’s next drive curved left and splashed right into the water.
Talk about a wet day at the office!
How He Finished the Tournament
| Round | Score | Relation to Par |
|---|---|---|
| Final Round (Round 4) | 72 | +2 (2-over) |
| Total (4 Rounds) | 279 | -1 (1-under) |
Why This Mattered: The Playoff Bubble
Mitchell started the week just inside the top 50 in the FedEx Cup standings.
Only the top 50 players advance to the next tournament: the BMW Championship.
His 1-under total left him on the bubble—meaning he had to wait and see how other players finished to know if his season would continue.
Summary
- Keith Mitchell waded into a water hazard on the 18th hole during the final round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
- He removed his shoes, socks, and rolled up his pants to hit the ball from the water’s edge.
- His recovery shot worked, but his next drive landed in the water.
- He finished the tournament at 1-under 279, fighting to stay in the top 50 and advance to the BMW Championship.
- It was a memorable, messy, and gutsy moment in a high-pressure situation.
FAQ
Why would a golfer go into the water to hit a ball?
If the ball is sitting on the grass right next to the water—and not actually submerged—a player can legally stand in the water to hit it. It’s rare, but allowed!
Did Mitchell get a penalty for going in the water?
Nope! As long as the ball is playable and he doesn’t ground his club in the hazard before swinging, it’s perfectly legal.
What is the FedEx Cup and why does the top 50 matter?
The FedEx Cup is the PGA Tour’s season-long points race. The top 50 after this tournament (the FedEx St. Jude Championship) qualify for the BMW Championship, the next playoff event. Missing the cut means your season is over.
Has any other pro done this before?
Yes! A few pros have taken their shoes off to hit from water—most famously Gary Woodland and Bubba Watson—but it’s still a rare and wild sight.
Where can I watch the video of this shot?
The original article included a video embed from X (formerly Twitter). You can search “Keith Mitchell water shot FedEx St. Jude 2026” on social media or the PGA Tour website to see it!