Advertisement
Spieth won today's Texas Open. SIPA USA/PA Images

Jordan Spieth tees up for the Masters with first victory in four years

Padraig Harrington finished in a tie for 69th while Graeme McDowell ended up in 54th position.

IT HAS BEEN a long time coming.

Four years to be precise. But at last Jordan Spieth is back as a winner following his victory here at the Texas Open in San Antonio. 

His winless drought ended here as Spieth, without a victory since The Open in 2017, secured his 12th PGA Tour victory, finishing two shots clear of Charley Hoffman, who started the round two shots behind Spieth and Matt Wallace.

Wallace finished third on 14 under, four shots shy of Spieth, two of Hoffman.

Some context is needed. This is not just any ordinary tour victory. Spieth, remember, did remarkable things early in his career. He was the second youngest player to become world No1; at 23 he was the second youngest to reach 10 PGA tour wins; that same year he was the second youngest to win three Majors.

Then came his slump.

There must have been times during the four-year drought when he wondered if he would ever win again. Today he did, his final round of 66 included seven birdies and just one bogey.

โ€œI felt really good from the word go today,โ€ Spieth said afterwards. โ€œI felt like I wanted to come out and have some fun.

โ€œThe challenge for me on Sundays when I have been in contention recently has been to be light, to have fun. You know it has been a long road to get back here.โ€

Along the way his confidence suffered. โ€œThere were a lot of times when I was not sure if I would be here, talking about winning again.

โ€œI never really doubted myself to be able to get back but I did lose confidence. This is a monumental win for me.โ€

Irishmen Graeme McDowell and Padraig Harrington had disappointing afternoons โ€“ McDowell dropping 28 places from his overnight position to finish in a tie for 54th, following a two over round.

Harrington finished in a tie for 69th โ€“ dropping nine places from his overnight position.

Close
8 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joseph Devine
    Favourite Joseph Devine
    Report
    Jan 31st 2017, 3:02 PM

    Barkley was always a tramp

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute EK
    Favourite EK
    Report
    Jan 31st 2017, 3:08 PM

    Barkley was right. LeBron already has the highest paid team in the league. If he wants to complain about not having a backup point guard he should go to the boardroom, not the media.

    Bringing Barkleyโ€™s past into it is a cheapshot aimed at deflecting from Barkleyโ€™s argument. I respect LeBron as a player but going public was a dumb move, just as โ€˜the decisionโ€™ was.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hugh Jass
    Favourite Hugh Jass
    Report
    Jan 31st 2017, 4:23 PM

    The decision worked out pretty well for him in fairness

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Damien Murphy
    Favourite Damien Murphy
    Report
    Jan 31st 2017, 5:31 PM

    The decision itself was a good one. The live broadcast announcing the decision was a mistake, and judging by how he announced his return to Cleveland I think LeBron knows it.

    16
    See 1 more reply โ–พ
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sup
    Favourite sup
    Report
    Jan 31st 2017, 10:45 PM

    One only has to look at the warriors to understand why lebron is freaking out. Cavs sneak by in a finals series that could easily have gone the other way, and then the warriors go and add Durant! Canโ€™t see the cavs competing with this years warriors team.

    Lebron as usual will give it a 110%, be the best player in the series, and then get criticized for been overrun by a superior team.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerry Gilroy
    Favourite Gerry Gilroy
    Report
    Feb 1st 2017, 10:29 AM

    Another know all pundit. If he knew all he thinks he knew heโ€™d be a coach.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Scanlon
    Favourite Paul Scanlon
    Report
    Feb 1st 2017, 8:42 AM

    Lebron has Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, The highest paid roster in the league and they just brought in a great shooter in Kyle Korver. Shut the โ€œfโ€ up and play the game. Stop being a whiney little bytch.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel