Jordan Spieth returns to his home state of Texas this week for the AT&T Byron Nelson, where the world number two first rose to fame when he tied for 16th place as a 16-year-old amateur.
‘Played a few holes today and still talked to Michael (Greller), recalling memories from the 2010 and 2011 Nelson when I was in high school, just cool moments or shots or clubs we hit into holes or whatever. It’s really fun to look back on those times,’ he said.
This week at TPC Four Season marks the fourth Texan stop-off of the year and Spieth, who missed the cut at The Players Championship, will look to compete for top honours.
‘It’s been kind of a tough event for me. The golf course hasn’t suited my game as well as it did in those early couple years, but got some momentum and belief that we can work our way into contention,’ said the 22-year-old, who shot four rounds in the 60s for a share of 30th last year.
The two-time major champion has enjoyed a season that includes victory at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions and a further seven top-20s. He’s missed two cuts in 11 starts, but is yet to break the top-20 as a professional in this week’s event.
The Dallas-born golfer leads the PGA Tour in putting average, putts per round, and birdie or better conversion rate. His skill with the flat stick makes him a favourite, especially with the absence of Jason Day and Rory McIlroy.
This week’s $7.3-million tournament is a good chance for Spieth to improve on his current position of 10th in the FedEx Cup standings and gain ground in the World Ranking.
‘I think I can win the next two events and I’m still not going to surpass him (Day) in the World Ranking. He’s separated himself and that bothers me and it motivates me,’ he said.
