For years to come, Jordan Spieth’s achievements will be compared with his 2015 season which held two majors and a rise to world number one, but the young Texan was happy enough with a victory at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am on Sunday. The 23-year-old, like all great golfers, heaps more pressure on himself than anybody else does, but his real talent lies in the ability to enjoy the biggest moments.
‘I don’t think comparing to 2015 as being the standard is fair because that would be comparing to someone who would win 45 majors and almost a hundred events (in a career)’ he said. ‘So I don’t think of that as the standard. I think of that as putting ourselves in the right position and obviously to try and capitalize each time, because we had a lot of fun that year.’
This week he took charge with a round of 68 in torrid weather on Thursday, then posted consecutive 65s to leave the competition playing for second place. His Sunday round of 70 meant a 19 under par total for the nine-time PGA Tour winner, four shots clear of runner-up Kelly Kraft.
‘This is a bucket list place to win,’ said Spieth. ‘Here, Augusta National, St. Andrews, I mean there are only a few in the world, it feels really special, it was amazing walking up the 18th green knowing that we were going to win. It’s just such a unique position, I tried to soak it in.’
The big names came out to play in California with Dustin Johnson in sole third, Brandt Snedeker sole fourth, and Jason Day in a three-way tie for fifth. Rory Sabbatini finished in a tie for 48th place on three under par after posting 70 on Sunday, while Tyrone van Aswegen missed the 54-hole cut.
