Jordan Spieth’s hot round derailed by 1 bad decision. He stood by it
Seven and a half years ago, Jordan Spieth watched as his friend Justin Thomas shot an impressive 59 at the Sony Open while they were paired together. Two weeks ago, Spieth again had a front-row seat for history, witnessing Cameron Young shoot a 59 at TPC River Highlands. On Saturday, at TPC Deere Run, Spieth…
Seven and a half years ago, Jordan Spieth watched as his friend Justin Thomas shot an impressive 59 at the Sony Open while they were paired together. Two weeks ago, Spieth again had a front-row seat for history, witnessing Cameron Young shoot a 59 at TPC River Highlands. On Saturday, at TPC Deere Run, Spieth looked poised to achieve his own sub-60 round during the third round of the John Deere Classic.
Spieth, seeking his first victory since the 2022 RBC Heritage, hasn’t had a strong season. Despite three top-10 finishes earlier in the year, he hasn’t placed better than 29th since missing the cut at the Masters in April. Consequently, he has slipped out of the top 30 in the Official World Golf Ranking and is currently outside the top 50 in the FedEx Cup standings, which could impact his qualification for next year’s Signature Events.
On Saturday morning, however, Spieth seemed to recapture his old form, carding eight birdies in the first 12 holes and making over 100 feet of putts. He was tied for the lead as the leaders were just starting their rounds.
On the 13th hole, Spieth hit a perfect drive, leaving himself 109 yards to the pin. He and his caddie, Michael Greller, discussed the second shot for over a minute, considering the impact of the wind and the softness of the greens. They ultimately chose a flighted 52-degree wedge, hoping it would spin back toward the hole.
After multiple practice swings, Spieth hit the shot, but it veered left, landing long and leaving him in a tough spot. He failed to get his third shot on the green and had to settle for a bogey, halting his momentum.
Spieth managed one more birdie on the par-5 17th, narrowly missing an eagle, and finished with a 63, his best round on the PGA Tour since last August. However, by the time the leaders were halfway through their back nines, Spieth was six shots behind the leader, Davis Thompson, and outside the top 10.
Reflecting on the 13th hole, Spieth explained the challenges posed by the soft greens and the difficult number. He chose to take the riskier shot, aiming to improve his game by handling tougher situations. Although the shot didn’t work out, he remained committed to his decision, emphasizing the importance of such shots for the upcoming Scottish Open and Open Championship.
As Spieth prepares for the next two weeks of links golf, he sees value in practicing challenging shots under pressure, despite Saturday’s setback. These experiences, he believes, are essential for regaining his winning form.
