Darling of American golf surges back to his best
Spieth’s latest triumph recalls Woods at his peak and suggests a third major is on horizon, writes James Corrigan
This was one of those rare moments when throwing clubs seemed acceptable
Jordan Spieth’s sand-wedge flew in one direction, Michael Greller hurled the bunker rake in the other. This was one of those rare moments when throwing clubs, or indeed green-keeping equipment, seemed totally acceptable.
And the ensuing botched-up chest bump between player and caddie was a thing of utter joy.
The darling of American golf had just holed out from the trap to win the play-off at the Travelers Championship on Sunday night and everything appeared possible for him again in this golfing season. “That was one for the ages,” Spieth said.
Do not forget that Spieth’s first professional victory came courtesy of holing out from a bunker in a play-off and we all know what happened after he won the John Deere Classic in 2013.
The then 19-year-old used it as the launch pad to shoot to the very top, finishing second on his debut at the 2014 Masters, before going on a tear over the next 15 months which landed two majors as well as the world No1 spot. Explosions of sand seem to fire this kid.
Dare we say, the scene reminded us of Tiger? Certainly, it was reminiscent of a Woods win-any-way-you-can moment.
Spieth had struggled all day. On that 18th hole, from that same bunker, he had earlier made a gutsy par to tie with Daniel Berger and force the shoot-out.
He clipped a tree off his drive on that first extra hole and, despite this huge slice of fortune, could locate only that trap again. Except just when he needed to, he found that magic touch. Not what he intended, but so much more interesting.
“The goal at the start of the day was boring golf,” Spieth said. “Make a bunch of pars, maybe slip in another birdie or two, and cruise in, hit the green and two-putt. Walk off. Day’s work done. I still wish I did it that way. But sometimes you need fireworks.”
And, as the Harford night air lit up with his brilliance, Berger could only look on and shake his head. “Jordan does Jordan things,” Berger, the play-off victim, said. “Just kind of speechless right now.”
Berger was speaking for the rest of us watching, including Justin Thomas, who actually called the shot on social media.
A few seconds before his close friend had swung that club, Thomas had posted the following: “Wouldn’t be surprised if @Jordanspieth just holed this bunker shot.” The clairvoyance only added to the sense of wonder.
Where does Spieth go from here? He will take a break and probably not be seen until next month’s Open Championship. The objective then will be clear.
It is daft to say he is “overdue” a third major. After all, there have been only eight majors since his win at the 2015 US Open. But when you are 23 and already have 13 pro wins to your name, you become used to garlands arriving in a hurry. “I’ll take a break, and come back and work my butt off to try to grab that major,” Spieth said.
In his absence, the comparisons with Woods will be inevitable. In lifting his 10th PGA Tour title, Spieth became only the second player in history to do so before his 24th birthday and although Woods got to 15 before this milestone, just to have the legend still in view is a remarkable achievement.
Indeed, just for a second on Sunday it was possible to squint the eyes, hear the tumult created by golfing audacity and be back in that time when Woods was promising to make this a sport for all. “I don’t think anybody will do what Tiger did for the game,” Spieth said. “But it’s cool to be out here at my age, to experience what we’re able to experience. That’s a dream come true.”