Spieth leans on Olympian Phelps for mental approach
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — If Jordan Spieth needs some help with the mental aspect of his game during this pressure-packed week of golf, he knows exactly where to turn. Michael Phelps is right there for him. Phelps, a 23-time Olympic gold medallist who knows a thing or two about performing at his best under crushing pressure, spent Thursday following Spieth around Quail Hollow during the first round of the PGA Championship. The 24-year-old Spieth is looking to become the youngest player to win golf’s career Grand Slam.
Spieth was thrilled to have Phelps inside the ropes with him.
“He’s become a good friend and even a mentor,” Spieth said. “That’s pretty awesome to have a mentor like that.”
Phelps and his wife Nicole Johnson followed Spieth, U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka and Masters champion Sergio Garcia for most of the round, mostly staying out of the way but always visible.
It’s not the first time Phelps has shadowed Spieth around the course.
Phelps, an avid golfer, struck up a friendship with Spieth last year in Phoenix through their mutual sponsor, Under Armour. They’ve hung out together in Cabo San Lucas, where they had a photo taken with former NBA great Michael Jordan, golfer Fred Couples and NFL players Russell Wilson and Dwight Freeney.
Phelps has also tweeted well wishes to Spieth after his victories.
“We have had dinner and talked through a lot of things,” Spieth said.
Spieth said the specifics of those conversations are private, but said the conversations focused around “a lot of mental approach and preparation and stuff.”
Phelps did not speak to reporters Thursday.