Jordan Spieth has, to put it mildly, taken the golf world by storm the last couple of years. Longtime readers of the Slant Pattern know that I am a big fan of parity and upsets and have little use for teams and players who dominate to such an extent that the sport is hardly worth watching. But Spieth goes about his business so happily, humbly, and humorously that it's hard not to like him. I am seeing some narratives, however, in the media and public about Spieth that I'd like to challenge.
1. Spieth Choked Away the 2016 Masters
To me, this fails on several "choking" counts and certainly doesn't rise to the level of the Masters choke jobs of Greg Norman in 1996 and Rory McIlroy in 2011. For starters, if you ask me, it's not a full-on choke if one bad hole made the difference (unless, perhaps, it's the 72nd hole). Spieth made quadruple-body on 12 in the final round. Had he parred (and everyone else carded the same score), then he would've won.
Furthermore, he shot a 73 on the final day, which was actually his T-2nd best round of the week. Everyone in the top 10 carded a 73 or worse at least once in the tournament. McIlroy shot 80 in the 2011 final round and Norman shot 78 in the 1996 final round. This was not a choke, and even if it was, I doubt it will affect Spieth much in the long term. He's already shown he's had the fortitude to win majors.
2. Spieth is Feeling Sorry For Himself
"I'm not taking it very hard. I've got ladies at the grocery stores putting their hand on me and going, 'Really praying for you; how are you doing?' I'm like, my dog didn't die. I'll be okay. I'll survive. It happens. It was, again, unfortunate timing."
That's what Spieth told Golf Digest. How can you not like a guy who says things like that? I think what sets apart a good athlete from a legendary one, besides the physical tools, is mental approach, and that's not just being more focused, disciplined, and determined. It's also having a level-headedness and an ability to put things in perspective. I would wager plenty of pro golfers would trade the life of their dog for a green jacket.
Side note, random people are praying for Spieth? Of all the things to pray for, you're gonna carve out some time for a young, intelligent, white, male millionaire?
3. Spieth is Not Going to Challenge For the "Greatest of All-Time" Mantle
I'm really kind of surprised there's not even more buzz around Spieth, frankly. For most of my adult life, people were counting down the days until Tiger Woods passed Jack Nicklaus in all-time major championships and Sam Snead in all time PGA Tour victories. Woods still trails Jack on the former count 18-14, and Sam on the latter 82-79.
Spieth has more majors at his age than Tiger or Jack, and more PGA Tour victories at his age than Tiger, Sam, or Jack. I'm calling it now: he's going to break both records. He might even break Tiger's record for one or both of those, who's only 40 and should not yet be counted out.
4. Spieth is the Most Down-to-Earth, Level-Headed Golfer to Ever Come Out of Dallas
He is, as I've written, very level-headed and down-to-earth, but one man can't be beat in this category. Sorry, Jordan.
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