Now on the Tee… The Open Championship

Thomas Huddleston
Jul 25, 2017 · 3 min read

Jordan Spieth is one of the most dedicated students of the game. It is fitting that this student finally passed the oldest and often hardest test in golf.

2015 saw Jordan almost complete 3/4 of the calendar grand slam at the home of golf, St. Andrews. It would have been fitting for Jordan, who has such a love for the history of the game, to win The Open at The Old Course. He is human though. It is likely the pressure and the opportunity to win a third major in a row (which hasn’t been done since Tiger) got to him. You couldn’t blame him.

This weekend was no cake walk for the young phenom; no Open Championship voyage is. Spieth’s final round was a roller coaster to say the least. If you ever want to learn a lesson about how to stay in the present and not let a bad start ruin your round, look no further. It is hard enough for a casual golfer to keep their cool when their round isn’t going well. Imagine trying to do so in The Open.

Spieth’s drive on 13 was blocked so far right, I got flashbacks of some of the drives I’ve hit. Jordan had to take an unplayable, move hundreds of people out of the way of his intended line, and then try to talk to his faithful caddy from 100 yards away about where in the hell to go from here. I probably would have lost my mind given the situation. Spieth walked away with just bogey.

How in the…?

Then he went to the next hole and did this.

And then on the par 5 15th for eagle…

Oh and 16, to y’know… keep up appearances

Spieth went on to 17 and blocked his drive again. After watching the last three holes it broke me out of a trance and the idea that I was watching someone who was not human. But he got his ball back into play. And just for the sake of parody, he even stopped in the middle of his swing, a la Tiger on his wedge shot into the green. I cannot stress how insane it is that he had enough control to stop himself on his downswing. But considering how he went from +4 thru 13 to even par in a span of 4 holes, he was in complete control of his game.

Jordan Spieth’s final round this weekend is a testament to the mastery of controlling one’s emotions and mind on the golf course. It was amazing to watch live, but upon second and third and fourth viewing of his round, there is so much to reflect on and lessons to be learned. I could say those lessons are cliché BS like It’s not how you start! It’s how you finish!! and Never give up! Keep Battling! but this requires much more thoughtful epiphanies.

Anger and letting frustration overtake you is the easiest way to play badly or ruin a good round. Spieth blocked, pulled, and hooked drives throughout his final round. Yes, you can hear him pleading with his ball or with the wind but never an outburst. He never walks off the tee angry. On 13, he was already ready to figure out his escape by the time his driver was back in the bag. On 17, he simply stretched out his right arm to signal his wayward shot.

If a 23 year-old kid can have such peace of mind and buddha-like/zen calmness while competing for the oldest and most prestigious trophy in golf, I think we all have the ability to chill out after making bogey when we are playing our buddy for $5.

And now, the champion golfer of the year… Jordan Spieth

A former DIII college golfer. I love to ramble on about all things golf. Marketing grad from PLU. Roll Lutes.

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