LA JOLLA, Calif. — After Jordan Spieth walked off the golf course at TPC Scottsdale, the place he posted a T-4 end on the WM Phoenix Open, the three-time main winner felt fairly good about himself regardless of his low expectations.
He hit the ball properly, relying closely on his strategy play and quick sport to soar into rivalry. It additionally marked Spieth’s second begin since he had wrist surgical procedure in August, making his top-five end much more spectacular.
“All in all, it was a giant progress week for me,” Spieth stated.
“I didn’t really feel like this was a one-off.”
Spieth made solely two bogies all week whereas carding 14 birdies and a pair of eagles throughout Friday’s second spherical. But, his greatest spotlight was a ridiculous par save that got here on the eleventh gap throughout the last spherical. In basic Spieth trend, he pushed his drive properly proper of the golf green, and it settled beneath a shrub within the desert. Hassle loomed. After pondering what to do, Spieth determined he may solely advance his ball by flipping his putter round and taking part in left-handed. He did so efficiently, scooting his second shot about 35 yards nearer to the outlet, though his ball didn’t depart the desert. Then, by some means, in what he referred to as a “one-in-20 shot,” Spieth obtained up and down from there for an otherworldly par.
“That was a steal,” Spieth stated. “One of many higher pars I’ve ever made, to be sincere.”
Spieth won’t be able to get away with wayward drives like that at Torrey Pines this week. The South Course at Torrey Pines is without doubt one of the longest on tour and in addition options thick, overseeded ryegrass that may wreak havoc immediately. Gamers typically need to chip again into the quick grass to take their medication each time they miss off the tee. Discovering the golf green — whereas hitting it lengthy — is a should on this golf course that has hosted the U.S. Open twice.
Spieth is aware of that too. Granted, he admitted that he cracked his driver at Pebble Seashore and had no alternative however to make use of a brand-new one on the WM Phoenix Open. He additionally had a brand new putter that labored properly for probably the most half.
That stated, his driver didn’t cooperate as his new putter did. Spieth discovered the golf green solely 50 p.c of the time at TPC Scottsdale, gaining 0.959 strokes off the tee, which was good for thirty fourth among the many 77 gamers who made the minimize.
“I actually didn’t drive the ball very properly, and it’s been a power of mine,” Spieth stated.
“I’m going to wish that [at Torrey Pines], however I’ve obtained all of the instruments to have the ability to determine if it’s the identical [driver] that I make an adjustment to or if I’m going to [use] a unique one. However that was powerful this week. I had a brand new putter, a brand new driver, and a brand new wrist, and I used to be making an attempt to determine handle all three.”
If he can discover the golf green extra typically on the South Course this week, Spieth ought to discover himself within the combine. Positive, this week’s Signature Occasion boasts a a lot stronger subject than ‘The Individuals’s Open’ in Phoenix. However final week, Spieth ranked second in strokes gained strategy. He additionally wanted solely 111 putts throughout the 61 greens that he hit in regulation, good for second within the subject. He gave himself alternatives and transformed loads.
But, all of it comes all the way down to the motive force for Spieth and if he can put himself in place off the tee field. The driving force itself, and the changes he makes, is a creating storyline in and of itself. Nonetheless, if golf followers start to see Spieth pointing left or proper earlier than he reaches for his peg within the floor, he’s in bother. Then once more, he’s identified for making par saves that solely the late, nice Seve Ballesteros may rival, so how a lot bother, is genuinely bother for Jordan Spieth?
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By means of. Observe him on X @jack_milko.