Post-Masters stumble ends Spieth’s streak
HILTON HEAD I SLAND, S. C. It’s been quite some time since Jordan Spieth had to explain a performance this poor.
The Masters champion had a post-Masters letdown Thursday in the opening round of the RBC Heritage, shooting 3-over-par 74 to end his run of 16 consecutive rounds under par. He blamed it all on himself — and not the twoday celebratory media tour in New York this week.
“I didn’t drive the ball well, didn’t particularly strike my irons well. My chipping and putting weren’t there,” he said. “It was just an off day.”
And a performance that stands in stark contrast with how Spieth played the last month. He won the Valspar Championship, finished second in the Texas Open and lost a playoff in the Houston Open before capturing the green jacket and his first major championship at Augusta National.
It was a lot to ask of anyone to come back just as strong, let alone a 21-year-old who hadn’t gone through it before.
“No excuses, I just didn’t have it today,” he said.
He had better have it today if he hopes to hang around for the weekend. Spieth stands eight shots behind Graeme McDowell and Matt Every, tied for the top at 66.
“Got a good feeling about tomorrow,” Spieth said. “Feel like I got some swings in, got in somewhat of a rhythm and can at least go out and feel the shots.”
Don’t bet against the young Texan.
He got into Sea Pines Resort late Tuesday after some 25 appearances and interviews in New York, including appearing with David Letterman and seeing the view atop the Empire State Building.
He acknowledged his preparation this week had suffered.
Spieth was greeted by a large gallery on the first tee, crowds five and six deep stretching cellphones to snap pictures and get video footage. “Way to go, Jordan,” someone shouted after his tee shot.
The applause continued throughout the round. And while Spieth appreciated the sentiment, he had difficulty concentrating on his game.
“I was upset about missing the green, and then there was a standing ovation walking up,” he said. “It’s like, ‘Thank you. I just hit a terrible shot. Thanks.’ So it was kind of tough to find the balance there.”
It was clear, though, this would not be the Spieth who tied the Masters’ scoring mark of 18-under 270 set by Tiger Woods in 1997.
He was in perfect position on the par-5 second hole, which played the easiest in the first round, when he left his approach shot short and in the bunker. Spieth could not make an 8-foot putt to save birdie. He was short of the green again on the par-4 sixth hole, leading to the first of three bogeys. Spieth had one bogey in his first 36 holes at Augusta National.
The wheels truly came off at the par-3 14th when Spieth hit into the water and watched his third shot spin back about 15 feet from the cup. He made a doublebogey 5.