ATLANTA » Jordan Spieth was on a lot of people’s minds on the Monday following his dramatic Masters win at famed Augusta National.
Folks figure you were there when you’re lugging around a bunch of Masters merchandise for your fortunate friends back in Hawaii. People in these parts have no problem asking you at the hotel or airport what it was like to witness history made by a 21-year-old Texan who can’t even rent a car.
Writer Joe Posnanski jokingly said on Sunday the first question in the interview room should be, "Jordan, how in hell did you miss that makeable par putt at 18?" that would have left Spieth 19 under for the tournament and one shot clear of Tiger Woods’ 18-under record total he fired off in 1997.
That’s how dominant this performance was for Spieth, as he won by four shots over Justin Rose and Phil Mickelson. Things like this don’t happen in majors, much less on the Bobby Jones fast tract that was slowed a bit by rain over the course of the four-day event. Remember, Woods’ record-setting effort forced the men in green to "Tiger-proof" Augusta by adding distance off the tee boxes.
Spieth played the course in its current condition, adding some lore to an already impressive display. He credited fellow Longhorn Ben Crenshaw and Gentle Ben’s long-time caddie Carl Jackson for providing insights in to how you treat Augusta — where to shape your shots and how to avoid making her mad.
The interesting thing about Spieth is he isn’t crazy-long off the tee as world No. 1 Rory McIlroy, doesn’t have the putting touch of Crenshaw, but does everything well enough to post low numbers. He has an old head on a young body, is mature beyond his years and is destined for greatness, thanks to a combination of poise and the ability to strike a golf ball with precision.
What we’re seeing in golf is a transition from old to new. Woods and Mickelson won’t be hoisting the American flag that much longer against a good group of European players. It’s up to guys like Spieth and Rickie Fowler and Patrick Reed and Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson to carry the day for the USA in this new world order of golf.
Jordan and Rory may become household names over the next couple of decades, much like Tiger and Phil or Arnie and Jack before them. There may be another pair out there we haven’t heard of yet waiting to challenge Spieth and McIlroy among the millennials swinging the sticks.
Who knows? That’s what makes this game so exciting for those who follow it every week and those casual fans who tune in just for the majors. Transition is inevitable and change is good to attract new, young fans to a sport in need of a booster once Woods and Mickelson exit the world stage for good.
Spieth is certainly a worthy young lad to light the American torch. He has a special needs sister he loves with all his heart and that has helped shape him into the grounded young man who stands before us today. He loves the game of golf, but also understands it is just a game.
Listening to him at the press conference on Sunday talk about priorities in life makes us forget he’s only 21. Golf veteran and crowd favorite Ernie Els loves the kid and believes he has the kind of makeup to win "many, many majors" in the years ahead. He, too, has a special needs child in his life who’s battling autism. And Els recognizes the kind of love and patience needed to balance life in and outside the ropes.
"He is a special young man," Els said.
He certainly is.
The future is bright for Spieth and for those of us who have watched and played golf since we were his age. Yes, there is another Sam Snead or Ben Hogan or Byron Nelson on the horizon just as there will be another Spieth or McIlroy 20 years down the cart path. It is inevitable and it is right. And it’s what makes the game so special in the world of sports.
