By Bryce Kelly, Staff Writer
Let us take a trip down memory lane. The year was 2015. No one had to wear masks or worry about social distancing. Life was good. “Hello” by Adele and “Hotline Bling” by Drake were on radio stations across the country. The New England Patriots beat the Seattle Seahawks in a memorable Super Bowl. The Golden State Warriors won their first NBA Championship in almost 40 years. Jordan Spieth was on top of the golf world.
Now in 2020, no one athlete, musician or team has fallen off as Spieth has. These days to find Spieth on a leaderboard of a golf tournament you will have to scroll quite a ways down. Spieth’s troubles have been well chronicled, and therefore the PGA should help him out. After another disappointing effort in the U.S. Open in which Spieth missed the cut, Spieth should not be in any more featured groups until his play warrants it.
Spieth exploded onto the golf scene in 2013 at the John Deere Classic. Spieth was only 20 years old and cemented his place as an up and coming player to watch. Spieth won his first major in 2015, winning the Masters Tournament by four shots. He then followed up the Masters win with another major win at the U.S. Open, coming from behind to beat Dustin Johnson.
After these two major championships, Spieth was the hottest name in golf. Tiger Woods was out of the sport and Spieth seemed destined to take over as golf’s next big star. He was soft-spoken and respectful off the course while showing a fiery competitive spirit on the course. In 2015, Spieth signed a 10-year contract with Under Armour making him the face of Under Armour golf.
In 2016, a disaster occurred when Spieth collapsed on the back nine of the final day of the Masters Tournament, finishing second. He bounced back in 2017 and won multiple tournaments including the Open Championship.
Since then, Spieth has won zero tournaments in three years. Yes, zero. After winning three major championships in two years, Spieth has lost his game. He is ranked the 67th player in the world. His putting stroke, at one time one of his strengths, is now a weakness and is costing him shots. He regularly fails to miss cuts at tournaments. Spieth was quoted at this past week’s U.S. Open as saying he does not know where the ball is going off the tee anymore. Often Spieth has appeared frustrated on the course, talking more to his ball and grumbling to his caddie.
Spieth is not a premier golfer anymore and there are so many up and coming golfers that could take his place. The golf game is in a great place. Young players like Xander Schauffele, Matthew Wolff, Collin Morikawa and Bryson DeChambeau are up and coming stars that deserve the spotlight. Tiger Woods is back playing in majors. Spieth does not have the winning pedigree in the last few years to warrant a featured group spot.
Spieth could also benefit from getting out of the spotlight. Spieth has been in his own head recently and his mental approach to the game will not improve with the constant spotlight. Sliding back into the shadows of the golf world would benefit Spieth and the game of golf.
kellybw19@bonaventure.edu
