Spieth battling history as well as golf courses
Associated Press happen. Comparisons were inevitable.
Graeme McDowell recalls his magical season in 2010 when he won the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and delivered the winning point from the final match at the Ryder Cup. He ended the year by taking down Woods at his own tournament in California. It was tough to back up a year like that.
“It feels like a disappointment, like a certain young American who’s having the same issue,” McDowell said, smiling because it was clear he was speaking about Spieth. “It’s the same way when you shoot 62. It’s very hard to come out on the golf course and back up a 62. That’s the micro version. The macro version is coming off a year like that trying to replicate it. Obviously, there’s a lot of traps.”
Are the expectations too high? Is the scrutiny too much?
“The kid is not having a bad year,” McDowell said. “But he’s in a different stratosphere now. He’s in the Tiger stratosphere, where every shot he hits is going to be questioned, every move he makes is going to be questioned. It’s something he has to get used to.”
And there’s another sobering reality that Spieth will have to consider: History suggests he might never have another season like last year.
Spieth didn’t just win two majors. He came as close as anyone to being the first to capture the calendar Grand Slam. He missed the British Open playoff by one shot and was runner-up to Jason Day in the PGA Championship.
Spieth doesn’t believe that last year was as good as it will get, nor should he. He doesn’t turn 23 until Wednesday. His career is just getting started, and the last thing any young player wants to hear is that his best — results, not necessarily performance — is behind him.