AVIDGOLFER

“It’s Just Jordan Doing Jordan Things”

Rick Arnett /

By most accounts Sunday, Jordan Spieth wasn’t playing his best golf at the Traveler’s Championship. He missed some short putts, came up a club or two short on approaches and was definitely scolding himself throughout the round.

Yet, Spieth is earning quite a reputation at seizing the moment. Flash forward to Jordan pitted against Daniel Berger in a playoff.

It didn’t start out all that promising. After Berger pulled his drive left, Spieth did one better (or worse) by pulling his ugly tee shot into the trees. But the “Golden Child” got a great bounce back into the fairway, albeit some 220-yards away. Berger’s approach was just off the left green apron while Spieth left another approach short into the bunker.

Then this happened.

It was a stupendous moment and a great ending for golf. A Tour marquee player and his caddie celebrating in wonderful fashion. I’d rank it along with Tiger Woods’ and looper Stevie Williams on the 16th at Augusta in 2005. Pardon the low-def image.

All Berger could do is watch, raise a “nice shot” thumb and try to cover with his long putt. Close but no go.

“It was just Jordan doing Jordan things.” 

“It took a little right bounce and cut spin and it rolled up to the hole,” Spieth said. “I jumped up and saw it coming right down on the pin. And I went nuts. That was fun. I don’t know how many (more) or if I’ll ever have a moment equivalent to that again, something like that to win a tournament. But yeah, that was very memorable. I certainly soaked it in.”

Somewhat underrated, was Greller’s ability to throw a rake (he took it home with him later) and dodge his boss’ club throw in one smooth move.

So, Spieth becomes only the second golfer to earn 10 Tour wins before the age of 24 (Tiger the other). It was also a win for the 8th of his last 9 tries holding a 54-hole lead. To put that into context, only 1 of the last 9 players holding a 54-hole lead have gone onto win.

But here are the differences and why Woods was such a freak golf savant. Like Woods already owning 15 wins Tour by age 24.


He’s also becoming the type golfer who can win with not every part of his game in synch as his putter was strangely cold. Now, at 23, Spieth has already earned over $30 mil in three years as a pro. And he gave golf another terrific shot in the arm.

Daniel Berger Jordan Spieth Michael Grellar