Jordan Spieth: Lack of patience ‘has gotten me in trouble’

Three-time major champion Jordan Spieth acknowledged Wednesday that patience has not always been his strong suit, a trait that has occasionally caused issues in his career. Speaking at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, ahead of the Charles Schwab Challenge, Spieth reflected on his struggles with patience and praised Xander Schauffele for his recent success at the PGA Championship.

Spieth lauded Schauffele’s perseverance during his extended dry spell before securing his first major victory, noting that the 30-year-old’s patient approach was inspiring. “I’m not a very patient person, and I think that’s gotten me in trouble a lot of times in my career,” Spieth said. “Trusting the process and giving it time, not needing immediate results, has been challenging for me. Schauffele, on the other hand, seemed unbothered by close calls and answered numerous questions about his performance without letting it affect him.”

Reflecting on his own experiences, Spieth mentioned that patience was easier when he was consistently playing well. “When things go your way, you start believing they always will. I wouldn’t be surprised if Schauffele’s recent success is just the beginning,” he added.

Currently seeking his first PGA Tour win of the season, Spieth has three top-10 finishes and is ranked No. 52 in the FedEx Cup standings. He expressed frustration with not maintaining his peak performance. “Knowing what I’m capable of, I want to stay at that level. Any drop, even a slight one, is frustrating. A significant drop makes you question what’s happening,” he said. “It can be overwhelming, and it was for me for a while. Now, I have a better perspective, but my drive to reach my highest potential is stronger than ever.”

Spieth emphasized the importance of feeling progress towards his goals. “If I feel like I’ve made progress, I’m pleased with my day. But on days I don’t, I lose patience because I know what I’m capable of, and not achieving that consistently is something I struggle with,” he concluded.