Jordan Spieth Headed for Golfing Greatness

Jordan Spieth is back in the news after his dramatic win at the Travellers Championship. That holed bunker shot has surely been viewed, and viewed again, ad infinitum on the net; and he's once again golf's wunderkind. It's all good.

I have been really bullish on Spieth from day one, when I first saw him play on the tour in Texas as a sixteen year old. I have touted him as the best player in the game, and essentially the "can't miss kid," for years now. I must admit that I soured on him a bit after he backed out of the Rio games. But I suppose it was more his loss than mine. Let's face it, the kid's seemingly destined to be one of golf's all-time greats. And, if an Olympic gold isn't that important to him, I guess that's his business not mine.

He's the total package. With ten wins now by the age of 23, including two Majors, he is comparable only to Tiger. No one else has managed it, including even the Golden Bear and my golfing hero, Bobby Jones. So, I guess there's not much more to be said. If he remains healthy, keeps the fire in his belly, and doesn't fiddle too much with his swing, Jordan Spieth will surely not only be in the Hall of Fame,  he'll be mentioned in the same breath as the greatest of the great ones. It's pretty much a given.

The obvious next step for Jordan is an Open championship and a PGA championship to complete the career Slam. He's obviously capable of doing it. And, if he can, he joins a very short list of golfing greats. You can bet he's now all-systems-go for the Open at Royal Birkdale next month. And I suppose I wouldn't bet against him. 

One of the things I really like about Spieth--and, of course, there is much to like--is his swing. He has a natural swing. It's not a swing made in the image of anyone else. And it's not a violent swing that relies on too much torque. It's a swing that should keep him from experiencing the back problems and other injuries that have plagued guys like Tiger, Rory, Jason Day, and even DJ--though DJ seems to get injured off the course more than on it. Spieth's swing seems, to me at least, to be built to last.

I think Jordan will be able to achieve longevity in the game that I don't see happening for Day and McIlroy. In fact, I don't think Day or McIlroy really have the desire to spend thirty years or more between the ropes. And ultimately, according to Jack Nicklaus, desire is probably the biggest factor there is in achieving greatness in this game. The real key in the future will be how much Spieth continues to want it.

There are lots of terrific players out there; and there are more coming along every day. To achieve greatness in the game, especially now adays with the ever-increasing number of talented players, desire will be key. It's painfully obvious that Spieth has it in spades. His performance this week serves only to remind us of that. Let's hope he keeps it.

Doing Too Much?

Jordan Spieth has managed to defy the critics and has fouught his way back into contention at the Valspar championship on the tough Copperhead course.  The frustration of his lousy first round led him to respond to critics on social media.  Never a good idea.  Any time you get into a smelling contest with a skunk, you're going to end up losing.

His two rounds of stellar play since on a tough track have him in the same position as last year when he managed to rally and win in a playoff.  Whether he can make history repeat itself is anyone's guess.  But, clearly, he's still got some golf left in him.

I spoke to my old mother about his first round travails and she said,"He's doing too much."  The problem with being the best is that every asshole and his uncle is willing to throw money at you to get a piece of you.  Your life changes in ways I certainly couldn't even imagine.  With that change comes a balancing act.  Perhaps that is why you see so many players get to number one in the world and then promptly fall away.  Luke Donald and Martin Kaymer come to mind.  The buzz around being number one is definitely not for everyone.  Look at Jason Day.  He has become conspicuous by his absence from leaderboards since finally ascending to number one for a week or two.

Whether Spieth has been "doing too much," as Granny suggests, or whether it is just the vagaries of golf--who knows.  But one thing for certain, this kid isn't done by a damn sight.  He's the real deal.

Spieth Still in the Hunt in Singapore

Well, Jordan Spieth didn't bring his game or his caddie to Singapore.  But he brought that bulldog determination that has made him the best in the game today.  

There wasn't much from a shotmaking perspective to marvel at when you look at Spieth's week in Singapore.  He was missing fairways.  His iron shots were nothing to get excited about.  His play around the greens was adequate at best.  And the putts, for the most part, just weren't dropping.  And yet, refusing to give up, Spieth has scratched and clawed his way to two shots back of the lead, with a marvelous up and down from the trees on sixteen, and a fifteen footer to save par on seventeen after another lousy tee shot and an indifferent pitch.  Standing on eighteen he had a five footer for birdie, which would put him within one of the leader, Younghan Song, who was facing a longer putt for par on sixteen.  That was when the horn sounded to end play due to dangerous weather conditions.

We will have to wait and see whether Jordan can find a way to win the event.  He will need some help from the leader, who has finished second six times, but never won.  Song has showed some real grit himself in hanging on to the lead.  But how well he will sleep, thinking about that putt he needs to make for par, is anyone's guess.  He does look composed and unaffected by the situation he finds himself in; with a chance to beat the best player in the world for his first professional win.  It's a great opportunity for him.

What we do know is that this Spieth kid gives you 100 percent every time he tees it up.  And he finds a way to make a score, whether he's got his best stuff or not.  He may not have wowed the crowds in Singapore with his golf shots, but, win or lose, he's given them a show nonetheless.  

There is simply no quit in this kid.  That is what makes a great champion; the ability to grind out a score when nothing seems to be going right.  I don't know if that kind of determination and grittiness can be taught.  You may just have to be born with it.  You just have to be plain stubborn.  Most everyone else would have probably just figured it wasn't our week and given up.  But not this guy.

We shall have to wait and see whether Jordan can somehow pull off a win.  But, whether he does or not, he's no doubt made lots of new fans in Asia.