How Phelps helped Spieth back to top
JORDAN SPIETH would not have had a prayer of making America’s Ryder Cup team if the contest had been staged as planned last year. Now, following his remarkable comeback this season, he is expected to play a key role alongside Justin Thomas at Whistling Straits.
The Texan has several people to thank for his welcome revival, including one who has largely gone under the radar to this point. A man who just happens to be arguably the greatest Olympian of all time.
After retiring from swimming with 23 Olympic golds and 28 medals in all, we became accustomed to seeing golf fanatic Michael Phelps at big events.
As the two biggest athletes sponsored by Under Armour, Spieth and Phelps had known each other on a casual basis for some time. When the former plummeted during a three-year downward spiral, it was Phelps who reached out. ‘With some of the golfers, you try to give them as much space while letting them know you’re there to help in any way,’ said Phelps. ‘I texted Jordan and we started having some conversations. We’ve become closer.’
After looking the next Tiger Woods with three major victories before the age of 24, Spieth’s decline was sad to see. Phelps knew he could not help on the technical side but there is plenty of mental similarities between the loneliness in a pool and on a golf course.
‘I started picking his brain on the mental side of things and it’s gone on from there,’ said Spieth. ‘He’s very involved in mental health and I feel very fortunate that he’s lent me an ear.’
Phelps said: ‘We spend so much time as athletes working on the physical side of sport, it’s really cool to see him take the time to mentally prepare away from the course. That’s what we’ve talked about a lot. Just figure out how much more you can control.’
Spieth added: ‘I don’t want to get into the details that are competitive advantages. But he’s been the most fantastic kind of friend.’
As for Phelps, he added: ‘In any sport, you don’t see too many people start diving and then come back to compete with the best of the best. To struggle for years on the course, it’s hard. It’s been incredible to watch his comeback.’