GOLF’S NEWEST SUPERSTAR made 2015 his own. Five tournament victories, including two majors, the FedEx Cup and more than US$20 million in prize money has seen Jordan Spieth sit on top of the world.
His record in golf’s four majors this year speaks for itself – finishing a combined 50-under-par over the four events. He won two of those, of course, (the US Masters and US Open) and finished in the top four in the other two.
As if that wasn’t enough, sponsors of the 22-year-old had a mural of him created in his native Dallas out of more than 24,000 golf balls.
Spieth has taken the professional golf world by storm, and while he had been tipped to become a big name since his teens, he has done it much quicker than expected.
His battles for major honours and the World No1 ranking with Australia’s Jason Day and Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy should entertain for years to come. Day also had a breakout year in 2015, winning his first major title in August, but the American’s achievements outweigh his rival’s.
Spieth’s unorthodox, old-school swing has caught the attention of golf enthusiasts – his bent left arm at the top of his downswing giving hope to club players struggling with a similar habit. But the experts insist it is not a flaw but a natural movement for the Texan.
It is on the greens though that Spieth has really made his mark, averaging the lowest number of putts per round of any PGA Tour player (27.82). And the putter he uses has been a fixture in his golf bag since he was 15-years-old.
His scrambling and approach play have also been key features of his game, and he consistently ranks among the Tour’s top 5 in these two aspects.
He is widely revered by his peers for his talent, work ethic and off-course demeanour. Ian Poulter probably summed it up best.
And if that wasn’t enough he even helps those in need off the course through his Jordan Spieth Charitable Trust.
Spieth is also apparently so grounded that he refuses to show off his trophies and awards, instead choosing to store them away in his Dallas bedroom, to the delight of his proud mother.
It looks like the future of golf is in a safe pair of hands.