Jordan Spieth Playing like Tiger
By Reid Hanson
Jordan Spieth, Texas’ most talented professional athlete, is picking up right where he left off and now he’s tied a Tiger Woods record.
Jordan Spieth, the PGA’s top-ranked golfer, is picking up right where he left off and winning tournaments by sizable margins. Spieth dominated the Hyundai Tournament of Champions this past weekend, winning by eight shots over the distant Patrick Reed.
Jordan Spieth’s 30 under 262 puts the 2015 Player of the Year in elite company in more ways than one. First, his 30-under make him only the second player to finish 30-under or better in a 72-hole event (South African, Ernie Els finished 31-under in 2003). Second, and more noteworthy, is that Jordan Spieth joins Tiger Woods as the only golfers in the modern era with seven victories under the age of 23.
"“I felt comfortable all week,” Spieth said. “I felt it was just a short three week break over the holidays and then just trying to continue what I was doing last year.”"
If last year’s success was the result of Jordan Spieth’s routine then he’d be wise to not change a thing. Last year, Spieth claimed five victories, two of which were Majors, in route to his Player of the Year award.
Last season’s success came on the heels of the foundation-building 2014 Australian Open win, proving that momentum is a big thing in Jordan Spieth’s game.
"“It worked this week and all parts of the game were firing. I’ll try to continue exactly what we were doing last year.”"
The premature comparisons to Tiger Woods are unavoidable at this point. Since 1970, only Tiger Woods can claim seven Tour victories before turning 23. Other golfers have had success in their youth (Rory McIlroy, 3 and Sergio Garcia, 3) but no one has approached the class of Tiger Woods.
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Until now.
"“Any time that you can get into the company of him and other great players, it’s a goal I’ve had since I was a little kid,” Spieth said. “I am nowhere near, I don’t think there’s any reason to compare. It is awfully early. I’m very excited with where I am at as a start to my career. What Tiger has done, I can’t imagine ever being done, but it’s nice to be in that company.”"
While there is time to blow Tiger Woods’ “under 23” record out of the water since Jordan Spieth doesn’t turn 23 until July 27th, perspective must be kept in comparing the two golfers’ careers. Spieth achieved this seven wins under 23 milestone in 77 tournament starts. Tiger Woods accomplished it in just 38. By the time Tiger had participated in 77 events, he had a staggering 18 victories.
Even still, the world’s best golfer started the season as strong as anyone could have imagined and he has well over half the season to rack up more wins before he turns the ripe age of 23.
Said Spieth at the end of last year,
"“We want years like this year to continue.”"
If the tournament in Kapalua, Hawaii is any indication, it appears Jordan Spieth is picking up exactly where he left off, so we all better get used to those Tiger Woods comparisons.
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According to ESPN, Spieth plans to spend the week at home in Dallas before taking part in the HSBC Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and the Singapore Open (off-Tour events) and then rejoining the Tour at Pebble Beach.