Opinion & Analysis
Jordan Spieth: Great, but young Tiger he is not
Standing on the eighth tee at Augusta National on Sunday, Jordan Spieth was the Masters leader by two strokes. It was looking very much like the 20-year-old could supplant Tiger Woods as the youngest winner of the tournament Bobby Jones started in 1934.
Of course, by the time Spieth made it to the 10th tee, he trailed leader Bubba Watson by two, thanks to a pair of bogeys, and eventually finished tied for second. And while he didn’t mount a back-nine charge, Spieth didn’t fold either, stringing together eight pars and just one bogey over the final nine holes.
In basketball, fans and talking heads have been engaged in the project of finding “the next Jordan” since late in His Airness’ career. In the world of golf, panic is emerging about the PGA Tour P.T.W., or Post Tiger Woods, and the quest for his successor is on in full.
It seems logical, given Jordan Spieth’s near-miss at the Masters, to ask if the young Texan might be the heir apparent to Mr. Woods. Of course, Rory McIlroy, just 24 and twice a major champion, will surely take issue with his exclusion from this discussion.
Let’s tap the brakes a bit.
Just as there hasn’t been a next Jordan, there’s even less likely to be a next Tiger Woods. Do you remember the climate 20 years ago? When Tiger came to the Masters as an amateur in 1996 and said he expected to win, we believed him!
Indeed, Woods set the golfing world on fire as a junior and arrived into a climate of expectation and enthusiasm that’s unlikely to ever be seen again. The steady march, which began when young Tiger hopped from his high chair and imitated his father’s swing, with its resultant fervor and expectation that (as Arnold Palmer himself said) the young golfer from Cypress, Calif., would one day have more majors than Nicklaus and Palmer combined, is not going to be repeated.
We aren’t likely to have another father like Earl Woods, who anointed his son as a messianic figure not only in golf but in the world at large. Nor are we likely to have a captive audience that, again, believes this is somehow possible. We are never again going to see such foolishness as the famous Sports Illustrated “The Chosen One” article nor the early Tiger Woods Nike commercials.
However, as we prepare for the P.T.W. era, acknowledging that Woods’ slow decline began in late 2009 and could continue for the next 10 years (depending on what his battered body allows him to do), Jordan Spieth has shone as brightly as any golfer, save for Rory McIlroy at the 2011 Masters (for three rounds at least) and the 2011 U.S. Open.
The essential point of distinction between Spieth and McIlroy is that the latter fired a final-round 80 after entering Sunday with the lead at Augusta. Spieth, for his part, carded an even-par 72 but was beaten by Bubba Watson. Despite untidiness early, Spieth didn’t shoot himself in the foot Sunday. In 2011, McIlroy committed a gruesome act of seppuku.
Does this mean Spieth is ready to hop in Tiger Woods’ throne? Not exactly. However, he (along with McIlroy) seems due to succeed El Tigre as the face of the PGA Tour. Neither golfer can have the transcendent faculty or crossover appeal of Woods, but that isn’t their fault.
Sticking to what can be quantified, let’s look at a few points of comparison between the two prior to their first seasons on Tour and between their maiden campaigns.
Comparing amateur records
Tiger Woods’ amateur record will likely never be equaled. Although Jordan Spieth was a very good amateur and became the only golfer since Woods to win the U.S. Junior Amateur twice and sat atop the Rolex rankings as the best amateur in the world, these achievements are a far cry from what Tiger was able to do as an amateur.
Woods won three consecutive U.S. Junior Amateurs and three consecutive U.S. Amateurs.
Think about that for a second.
There’s absolutely no comparison between what Spieth did as an amateur and what Tiger did. The chasm between Woods and the next-best amateur golfer in recent memory is even larger than the one between him and any current PGA Tour player.
Comparing first seasons
Last year, in his first season on Tour, Jordan Spieth competed in 23 events. He made 18 cuts, won once and finished second three times. He notched nine top-10 finishes as well. In 1997, Tiger’s first full season on Tour, he competed in 21 events. Woods made 20 cuts, winning the Masters and three other tournaments. Like Spieth, he finished inside the top 10 nine times.
Another important detail regarding their respective first PGA Tour campaigns: At the beginning of the 1997 season, Woods was 21. Spieth, for his part, was 19. While this doesn’t level the playing field, it is a significant credit to what Jordan Spieth has been able to accomplish on Tour before he can legally sit at the bar in the grill room of the venues at which he plays and order a beer.
Tiger Woods’ Masters win and the manner in which he won are significant points of differentiation between the golfers, as are the multiple victories. However, the fact that Woods was two years older than Jordan Spieth during his first full season as a PGA Tour member is the item that tips the scales in Spieth’s favor more than any other.
Also, Spieth finished second in his first Masters appearance. Woods, who competed as an amateur for the first time at Augusta in 1995, tied for 41st. This is hugely significant.
Comparing key stats
Let’s see what the numbers indicate — namely, Spieth’s and Woods’ stats from their respective freshman campaigns.
Obviously, significantly fewer stats were kept in the pre-ShotLink era. Still, the first point of comparison is that Tiger was nearly five yards longer off the tee in his rookie season — 294.8 yards vs. Spieth’s 289.4 — while using a steel-shafted Titleist driver with a head that seems like it’s a quarter of the size of drivers in play today.
Spieth was also less accurate off the tee last year than Woods was in 1997. However, as is the trend, Woods was 80th on Tour in 1997, hitting 68.6 percent of fairways. Spieth placed 18th last year, even though he only found the short grass 67.8 percent of the time.
There’s a healthy gap between Woods of ’97 and Spieth of ’13 in the greens-in-regulation department as well. Tiger hit 70.3 percent of all greens in regulation, whereas Spieth hit 66.9.
Looking at the two golfers’ scoring averages: Woods’ average for 1997 was 69.1, while Spieth’s last season was 69.6. That’s a sizable difference over the four rounds of a golf tournament.
Still, the golfing world is right to be excited about Jordan Spieth. Beyond the stats above or the fact that he won a PGA Tour event at 19 years of age, the resolve he showed down the stretch at Augusta in his first appearance (even while being visibly frustrated), the way he said all the right things in interviews, and his humility and work ethic should pay serious dividends in the near future.
This quote from the young golfer after his final round stood out: “I’m hungry. That was fun, but at the same time it hurts right now. I didn’t come out on top, but I can take a lot of positives away.”
Spieth wants to win. He enjoys the spotlight. He hates to lose. He keeps perspective and stays positive. The quote sounds like something another young Tour star might have said nearly 20 years ago.
Opinion & Analysis
Brandel Chamblee PGA Championship Q&A: Rose’s huge McLaren risk, distracted LIV pros and why Aronimink suits the bombers
PGA Championship week is here, and Brandel Chamblee did not hold back in our latest discussion ahead of the season’s second major.
In our 2026 PGA Championship Q&A, golf’s leading analyst made the case that PIF pulling LIV’s funding has left its players competing in a state of confusion, called Justin Rose’s mid-season equipment switch a huge risk at 45, and explained why Aronimink will be a bombers’ delight this week.
Check out the full Q&A below.
Gianni: With the PIF confirming that they’re pulling funding from LIV at the end of the season, what impact do you expect that to have on the LIV players competing at the PGA Championship?
Brandel: I would imagine that they have all been thrown into a state of confusion, and will be distracted, not knowing where they are going to play next year and not knowing exactly their road back to either the DP World Tour or the PGA Tour. Or in Rahm’s case, being tied to a sinking ship for the next few years, likely playing for pennies on the dollar in events that no one cares about or watches.
I doubt this would put him in the best frame of mind to compete at his highest level. Keeping in mind, however, that majors are the only time that LIV disciples get to play in events that matter, so never disregard the motivation they have to prove to the world they are still relevant.
Gianni: Justin Rose switched to McLaren Golf equipment mid-season while playing some of the best golf of his career. What do you make of the change?
Brandel: I don’t really know what to make of Rose switching equipment. It seems a huge risk on his part, even though it is likely, in my opinion, that the clubs he’s playing are similar, if not the exact grinds, to what he was playing previously, with a McLaren stamp on them.
Having said that, at best, it is a distraction when he seemed to be as dialed in with his game as any 45-year-old could be and trending in the majors to perhaps do something that would definitely put him in the Hall of Fame. At worst, given the possibility that these clubs aren’t just duplicates of his old set stamped with McLaren on them, he’s made an equipment change that would take time, and 45-year-old athletes don’t have the time to do such things.
Gianni: Aronimink has only hosted a handful of professional events since it hosted the 1962 PGA Championship. What kind of test does it present, and does a course with less recent major championship history tend to level the playing field?
Brandel: Even though Aronimink has only hosted a handful of meaningful professional events, it has been fairly discerning in who can win there. When Keegan Bradley won the BMW Championship on the Donald Ross masterpiece in 2018, he was the 2nd best iron player on tour coming into that week. When Nick Watney won the AT&T at Aronimink in 2011, he was 2nd in strokes gained total coming into the week.
In 2020, Aronimink hosted the KPMG Championship, and Sei Young Kim won. On the LPGA that year, she was first in greens in regulation, putts per green in regulation, and scoring average on the way to being the LPGA player of the year. And then there is the 1962 PGA Championship won by Gary Player, who eventually became just one of a few players to win the career grand slam on the way to winning 9 majors. It is a formidable test, and if it’s not softened by rain, it will bring out the best in the upper echelons of the game.
Gianni: Is there a specific hole at Aronimink that you think will do the most to decide the winner?
Brandel: The hardest hole at Aronimink in each of the three tour events that have been played there since 2010 has been the long par-3 8th hole, with the par-4 10th being the second hardest, so most of the carnage will happen around the turn, but with the par-5 16th offering opportunities for bold plays and the tough closing holes at 17 and 18, the finish is likely to be frenetic.
Gianni: The PGA Championship has always sat in the shadow of the other majors. What does the ideal PGA Championship look like in your eyes, and what would it take for it to carve out its own identity?
Brandel: The PGA Championship, to whatever degree it suffers from the comparison to the other three majors, is still counted just as much when adding them up at the end of one’s career. Almost 1/3 of Nicklaus’ major wins were the five PGA Championships he won. Walter Hagen won 11 majors, five of which were PGA Championships.
Tiger Woods twice in his career won back-to-back PGA Championships, and those four majors count just as much as the other 11 he won. The PGA may not have the prestige of the other three, but it carries the same weight. Having said that, I preferred the identity that it had as the last major of the year.
Gianni: You nailed your Masters picks. Rory won, Scottie finished solo second, and Morikawa surged to a tie for seventh. Who are your top 3 picks for the PGA Championship and why?
Brandel: I am not a huge fan of majors played on golf courses that have been shorn of most of the trees, although I understand some of the agronomic reasons for doing so and of course the ease with which it allows members to play after errant drives. However, at the highest level, it all but eliminates any strategy off the tee and turns professional golf into an even bigger slugfest. That means that it will likely be a bomber’s delight this week, but fortunately, Scottie Scheffler is long enough to play that game and straight enough to play it better than anyone else.
The major championships give us very few surprises anymore, going back to the beginning of 2012, so the last 57 majors played, the average world rank of the winners has been better than 15th in the world. So look at the highest ranked and longest drivers who are on form coming into the PGA Championship who also have great short games as the surrounds at Aronimink are very challenging. That’s Scottie Scheffler by a mile and then McIlroy and Cameron Young with a far bigger nod towards DeChambeau than I gave him at the Masters.
In this episode of the Club Junkie Podcast, we dive into one of the most interesting flatstick releases of the year with a full review of the new TaylorMade SYSTM 2 putters. After spending time on the greens, I break down what makes this design stand out, where it performs, and why it has me completely torn between loving it and fighting it. If you are into feel, alignment, and consistency, this is one you will want to hear about.
We also take a look at some of the putters in play on the PGA Tour last week. From familiar favorites to a few surprising setups, there is always something to learn from what the best players in the world are rolling with under pressure.
To wrap things up, I walk through the process of building a set of JP Golf Prime irons paired with Baddazz Gold Series shafts. From component selection to performance goals, this is a deep dive into what goes into creating a unique custom set and why this combo has been so intriguing.
This year my 50th birthday. Gosh, where has the time gone?
As a teenager in rural Missouri, some of my junior high and high school years felt interminable. Graduation seemed light years away. But the older I get, the faster life seems to fly by.
I’m also increasingly aware of my mortality. My dad died recently. Earlier this year, a friend and fellow PGA of America professional and I were texting about our next catch-up. The next message I received was news of his unexpected passing at 48. Shortly after, a woman I dated in college succumbed to cancer at 51.
Certainly, one can share perspective at any age. Seniors help freshmen, veterans guide rookies. But reaching this milestone feels like as good a time as any to do one of those “what would I tell my younger self?” articles.
I’ve had a uniquely varied career in golf. I started as a 27-year-old, average-length-hitting, 14-handicap computer engineer and somehow managed to turn pro before running out of money, constantly bootstrapping my way forward. I’ve won qualifiers and set venue records in the World Long Drive Championships, finished fifth at the Speedgolf World Championships, coached all skill levels as a PGA of America professional, built industry-leading swing speed training programs for Swing Man Golf, helped advance the single-length iron market with Sterling Irons®, caddied on the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions, and played about 300 courses across 32 countries.
It’s been a ride, and I’ve gone both deep and wide.
So while I can consult and advise from a lot of angles, let me keep it to a few things I’d tell the average golfer who wants to improve.
1. Think About What You Want
Everyone has their own reason for picking up a golf club.
Oddly, as a professional athlete, I’m not internally driven by competition. That can be challenging, as the industry currently prioritizes and incentivizes competition over the love of the game.
For me, I love walking and being outdoors. Nature helps balance my energy. I prefer courses that are integrated into the natural beauty of their surroundings. I’m comfortable practicing alone. I’m a deep thinker, and I genuinely enjoy investigating the game, using data and intuition to unearth unique, often innovative insights. I’m fortunate to be strong and athletic, so I appreciate the chance to engage with my abilities. Traveling feels adventurous. I could go on.
You don’t have to overthink it like I do. For you, it might be as simple as hitting balls to escape work, hanging out with friends, and playing loosely with the rules and the score.
The point is to give yourself permission to play for your own reasons, and let that be enough.
But if improvement is your goal, thinking about your destination—and when you want to get there—is important, because it dictates the steps you need to take. When I set out to go from a 14-handicap to the PGA TOUR as quickly as possible, the steps I needed were very different from those of a working golfer trying to break 90 in six months. That’s also different from someone who just wants a few peaceful hours outside each week, away from work or family.
None of these goals are better than the others, but each requires a different plan that you can work backward from.
2. There Are Lots of Things That Can Work
One of the challenges of golf is that, although there are rules for playing, there aren’t clear, industry-wide standards for how to best play the game. There’s a lot of gray area.
You might hear a top coach or trainer insist that a certain move is the best way to swing or train. Then you dig a bit deeper and, much to your confusion and frustration, another respected coach or trainer says something completely different. I don’t think anyone is trying to confuse you—at least I hope not. It’s just where the industry is right now.
You have to be careful with advice from tournament pros, too. They might be great at scoring, but they’re also human and sometimes just as susceptible as amateurs to believing things that don’t really move the needle. Tour players might describe what they feel, but that’s not always what they’re actually doing when assessed with technology.
I recently ran a test on my YouTube channel (which connects to my GolfWRX article “How to use your hands in the golf swing for power and accuracy”), and, interestingly, two of the most commonly taught hand actions produced the worst results in the test.
Coaches can certainly help. If you find someone you connect with to help navigate, that’s great. But there are many ways to get the ball in the hole. In the current landscape, you may need to seek multiple opinions, think critically, and use your own intuition to discern what seems true and whose advice resonates with you.
I’d recommend seeking someone who is open-minded and always learning, because things constantly change. Absolutes like “correct” or “proper” should raise a red flag. AI can be useful, but it tends to confidently repeat popular advice, so proceed with caution.
3. Get Custom Fit
If you’re serious about becoming a better player, getting custom fit is hugely important. There’s no sense fighting your equipment if you don’t have to. Most better players get fit these days and, if they don’t, they’re usually skilled enough to work around clubs that aren’t ideal.
If you plan to play for a long time, it’s worth spending a little more upfront to get something that truly fits you and your game, rather than continually buying and discarding equipment.
Equipment rules haven’t really changed significantly since the early 2000s. To stay in business, manufacturers keep pushing those limits. If you pull a bunch of clubs and balls off the rack and test them, you’ll find differences. I’ve tested two new drivers and seen a 30-yard total distance gap. Usually, the issue isn’t bad equipment; it’s that the combination of components simply isn’t the best fit.
It’s like wearing a new pair of floppy clown shoes. Sure, they’re shoes—but you won’t sprint your best in them compared to track shoes that fit perfectly.
Be wary of what’s called custom fitting, too. Sometimes the term is used as a marketing strategy rather than an actual fitting. In some retail settings, fitters may be incentivized to steer you toward higher-priced components. That doesn’t automatically mean it’s not the best fit, but you should be aware of potential biases.
I learned a version of this lesson outside of golf. Years ago, I bought a tennis racquet at a big box store from a seemingly knowledgeable employee who thought it would suit me best. The racquet gave me tennis elbow, and I spent months recovering with rest and acupuncture. The next season, I invested more time and money to find what actually fit me, and I walked away with something amazing that I still play with years later.
So if you’re going to get fit, be smart about it.
Find someone you believe has deep knowledge—possibly with certifications, but not necessarily. Make sure there’s a wide inventory across many brands. Check recent reviews for the individual fitter if possible. Make sure you trust that the fitter has your best interests at heart. If they’re wearing a hat or shirt with a specific brand’s logo, proceed with caution. Unless you specifically want a certain brand or look, be wary of upsells, especially if two options perform nearly the same.
Also, while golf is called a sport of integrity, there’s a thread of manipulation in the industry. I once drafted an equipment article for an industry magazine, structured just like one of their previous popular stories, with matching word count and great photos. The assistant editor loved it; it was useful to readers and required little work on his part. But the editor-in-chief nixed the story. When I asked why, I was told it was because I wasn’t an advertiser. It turned out the article I’d modeled mine after was a paid ad cleverly disguised as editorial content.
I really dislike games, clickbait, and fear-based manipulation. I hope this changes, but golfers deserve to know it exists.
4. Distance and Strategy Matter
There’s a real relationship between how far you hit the ball and your scoring average, even at the PGA TOUR level.
I experienced this early in my pro career. I started as a power hitter, swinging in the high 120s and breaking 200 mph ball speed with a stock driver.
Back then, some instructors advised swinging at 80%, so I tried slowing down for more accuracy. That worked fine on shorter, tighter courses. But on longer setups, I was coming into greens with too much club, and par 5s stopped being
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Mike K.
Jul 13, 2015 at 1:21 am
Nicklaus remains the greatest ever. 18>14 by a long shot. When one also considers Nicklaus’s far greater number of runner-up finishes in majors; the much better competition from top opponents Jack faced throughout his career; and the fact that Nicklaus finished in the top ten at Augusta at age 58, with only one good hip, one can see that it’s really not much contest. Then, when one takes into account Nicklaus’s far superior on-course demeanor AND vastly superior conduct in his private life – well, the discussion’s over, isn’t it?
So, while Woods might yet have another major, or even two, in him, Nicklaus is the one to whom Spieth, and all others, will be compared. So everyone check back in about thirty years, when it will actually make sense to have this conversation.
Brad Ingarfield
Apr 26, 2014 at 10:18 pm
Great young player. Will he move the needle? – Brad Ingarfield
Golfraven
Apr 18, 2014 at 5:56 pm
No golfer will reach same status and money Tiger did manage over the past 15 years. We unlikely will see another games manufacturer bringing out games named after golfers, or did someone see already ‘Bubba’s Golf 2014’ ? What we will see are young golfers coming on the tour and inspire next generations. Soon no kid will say he wants to play like Tiger – more like Rickey or Spieth. Sadly the kid named Rory tried to walk in Tigers shoes and failed so far – he still has talent to go big.
Chris Hale
Apr 17, 2014 at 5:54 pm
I would argue that the level of athleticism in the pro game has been elevated since Tiger burst on to the scene 20 years ago. As such, it’s impossible to legitimately compare what Tiger did at Augusta in 1997 to what Jordan did last week. Never mind the fact that they’ve made numerous changes to the golf course because of Tiger’s dominance, the 2014 Masters field is flat-out more competitive than the guys Tiger beat in 1997. Tiger has raised the bar (and paycheck) for every tour player and made professional golf a far more competitive enterprise than it’s ever been. Just think about how good the “next Tiger” will need to be in order to elevate the game in the same way.
In that light, I give Jordan Speith enormous respect for ascending to where he has at the age of 20. I’m excited to watch him.
Cole
Apr 16, 2014 at 9:46 pm
He’s no Tiger, but I like that he’s out competing the next week.
cole
Apr 16, 2014 at 8:08 pm
No Tiger, But I like to see him out the week after!
ken
Apr 16, 2014 at 6:31 pm
I cannot stand these player comparisons. “He’s the next( fill in the blank)…
Tiger Woods is who he his. Jordan Spieth is not even the same type player.
As far as predicting the future? Spieth could undergo a slight swing tweak and wreck his game for an entire season. Sound familiar?
Let’s just enjoy watching Spieth play golf and let the putts fall where they may.
Jon Bon Jovi
Apr 16, 2014 at 6:24 pm
Can Jordan Speith even be compared to Rory Mcilroy? Those 2 players aren’t in the same class. Jordan Speith is a good player, but he’s not even a Mcilroy, nevermind a Tiger Woods for god sake.
leftright
Apr 16, 2014 at 8:28 pm
Speith is currently a better player than McIlroy, care to compare stats for the past year. No, Speith doesn’t have the major wins but currently he could give Rory 1 a side.
Dan
Apr 16, 2014 at 5:53 pm
And where exactly would the game of golf be if Tiger Woods never existed? Would young players have not played the game? Would they not be benefiting from fitness and technology just the same?
As far as I know golf has been on TV every weekend during the season long before Tiger Woods. They would still be making loads of money. I’m sure no one would have said “Y’know I just dont think that playing golf for a living is going to be worthwhile”.
Golf rounds in the US have declined precipitously since 2001. Oh Tiger please save Golf!!!!!!!!!!!! Where are you Tiger? Perhaps the “World of Golf” isnt quite panicking as much as the golf media is panicking. Might actually have to go dig up some stories and really are there many big stories that dont involve the more negative things in life? Infidelity, sex, PEDs, racist remarks, feuds, etc, etc. How is Tiger so good for golf with all these “negative” stories that have never been a part of this game?
I spend several thousand dollars yearly on golf and golf products, and I’m not panicking.
How exactly has he influenced the game? His fist pumps are the main highlights that ESPN shows? Let me ask another question, if Tiger Woods were not black, would he have the same “cult of personality” ? And in no way is this meant to be racist, we simply tend to focus on the differences and not the similarities. He’s a golfer, I’m a golfer. I dont think he’s a nice guy, I get sick of hearing about him when he’s NOT playing but I’ll be the first to tell you he WAS physically and mentally stronger than anyone on tour during his winning years
Did Nicklaus, statistically being the greatest Major champion the game has ever seen, garner the level of attention that the media has placed on Tiger Woods? He should have, no? he won the most Majors, and alot of tournaments.
No he didnt, and there are 2 reasons why. First as much as Jack won, there were plenty of others winning 4+ Majors at the same time. Player, Trevino, Palmer, Watson, Seve, Floyd…….Els, Phil and Vijay would not have been considered “great” at this time. (maybe Phil…) 14 looks like alot compared to 5,4. Maybe 18 doesnt look as much compared to 9, 8, 7, 5. Maybe Jack’s greatness is undervalued. Maybe Tiger played lesser competition.
Second, we didnt have the freaking Internet so that the absolute minutiae of every single issue could turned into a non-stop news conference back then, have every word, gesture, smile, frown, the subject of a panel discussion. And having a single icon associated with a sport wasnt important then, but seems to be an absolute necessity now. Why does Tiger need an heir? I’d rather see 10 equally talented guys go at it and every week a new drama.
I dont dispute that Tiger Woods is a great golfer in my book he’s still #2, but he’s not the only one and he’s not the game of golf. Yeah i know he WAS the latest, greatest, what ever, but put the pipe down already.
Maybe, just maybe the “world of Golf” should stop hanging on this guys underwear and worrying about PTW (so funny there are initials for it already) and selling the “new Guys”.
PS I go to golf media outlets to get golf commentary, certainly not NPR and the ny times. Expected better here.
leftright
Apr 16, 2014 at 8:29 pm
Tiger is “black.” The world, especially America is ate up with patronization of blacks and Arabs. Wait until some Arab guy makes the tour. He will be the second coming of Jack Nicklaus, even he if can’t bust an egg.
lh95
Apr 16, 2014 at 10:42 pm
Was anyone excited about Arjun Atwal or Jeev MIlka Singh? They are Indian (technically not Arab but most of America would know that) and no one really cares. Tiger was big because America is/was racist and he wasn’t welcome at many of the courses where was winning tournaments.
The next coming of Jack is going to be someone who wins 10+ majors whether they are black, white or brown. There will be no second coming of Tiger.
SBoss
Apr 20, 2014 at 4:51 pm
There WILL be a player that comes along better than Tiger and Jack. We don’t know when but its always a matter of time in sports. It’s foolish to think otherwise.
This whole American “is/was racist” thing is all nonsense about why Tiger was idolized. Yes, he brought minorities into golf. But, he brought a lot of interest period. Now, he’s still drawing the same interest level but many hate him (no, not because he’s a minority although I’m sure the victim mentally will run wild) because he’s polarizing.
Tiger is not a great dude off the course. I worked a major and he blew kids off and didn’t tip anybody involved with the event. A bunch of people sort balls every day from the range and ensure that each player’s balls are ready for the next session on the range. Phil tipped them all $100 a day. Tiger didn’t tip a nickel all week to anyone. He’s moody and arrogant. He’s certainly not the only one (Vijay can give him a run for major jerk) but it’s a factor in why some can’t stand him.
jim
Jun 23, 2015 at 9:29 am
Tiger needs his dough for hookers.
Rich
Apr 16, 2014 at 5:13 pm
Who’s Jordan Spieth? I thought Patrick Reed was The next big thing? We’ll that’s what he said anyway.
ken
Apr 16, 2014 at 6:28 pm
Looks like Reed’s mouth got in the way of his progress.
If you remember, he shot off his mouth stating he thought of himself as in the top 5 in the world.
Even his wife is in the act. She overheard a writer ask another writer who Reed was. Mrs Reed’s response, I cannot believe they don’t know my husband”.
I have news for Patrick Reed. That news is “let your golf clubs do the talking”.
Golfraven
Apr 16, 2014 at 5:00 pm
hey, give Spieth some respect, he worked his whole life to get there, though ge is only 20. Still I give him credit for being so bold – balls of steal. Nice chap. The tantrum on the 10 wasn’t great style and don’t think he is proude of it. However nothing compared to Tiger who is throwing clubs all the time.
ShakeNBake
Apr 16, 2014 at 4:41 pm
It’s simply not a fair and reasonable comparison. This article is like comparing Michael Jordan’s first few NBA seasons to Kobe’s first few NBA seasons. Of course a 22 year old Michael was way better than an 18 year old Kobe. One guy was in his 20’s and the other was a teenager. Duh.
Same thing with Spieth and Woods. One was a teenager when he got on tour and the other was in his 20’s. Let’s wait until Spieth turns 22. If he hasn’t won a Masters by then, maybe he isn’t the next tiger.
Oh, and no one thought Woods was going win the Masters in 1996. Sorry, he didn’t even make the cut.
Oldplayer
Apr 16, 2014 at 4:31 pm
I think Spieth is an amazing young talent. For a 20 years old he has great poise and confidence without arrogance. He has an extremely sound all round game.
I do not think it is helpful to compare him with Tiger whose long hitting (early in his pro career) and clutch putting set him apart and gave him the edge that produced his dominance.
Spieth displays qualities far more like Nicklaus than Tiger.
Level headedness, sportsmanship, belief in his game, calmness under pressure etc. etc.
I think that if Jordan Spieth is fortunate enough to not have his career derailed by misfortune or injury he has the real potential to become one of the best of all time.
Colin
Apr 16, 2014 at 3:58 pm
It is unfair to compare Spieth to Tiger. Who has ever said they would have comparable careers? I think of Spieth as the American equivalent to Rory. I believe that comparison would be far more accurate.
joe doaks
Apr 16, 2014 at 1:01 pm
let’s just let the kid play
Elmo
Apr 16, 2014 at 12:32 pm
The seasons not over yet. This kid has two more years to do what Tiger technically did in his first. Tiger got to practice playing college golf and contending in US Amateurs. This was Speith’s first huge stage and contention. He has seven more majors to win at or before the age that Tiger did. We can all talk then.
ReadingComp
Apr 16, 2014 at 12:27 pm
Great article, Ben. I found it interesting to see Tiger’s and Jordan’s stats side-by-side. As good as Jordan is, it’s truly unbelievable what Tiger has accomplished.
Dan
Apr 16, 2014 at 9:56 am
So Sorry I even clicked on this rag of an article. Ben, you suffer from the same malady as the rest of the media…………Laziness!!!
Tiger’s play has been a non-story for years now, except that the media has gotten so lazy covering Tiger, I mean its not like any one reporter develops a story anymore. Its just being repeated by different media outlets.
I guess you couldnt find anything more interesting to do but “generate” a story.
“It seems logical, given Jordan Spieth’s near-miss at the Masters, to ask if the young Texan might be the heir apparent to Mr. Woods.”
I think you are the only person who has come to this conclusion and it shows how the media thinks: The sport itself is unimportant, having a personality to focus on is all that matters, is easy and self perpetuating.
You have made my do not read list along the idiot Montesanto
Dan
Apr 16, 2014 at 1:22 pm
Sorry Ben, this is the first place I’ve heard anyone compare Spieth to Woods and judging by the rest of the posts on this article no one else has either.
And oddly enough you don’t reference any of these “bold claims from seemingly every other outlet about the ascendancy of Mr Speith” in your article. In fact all I’ve heard is that “he’s young, he’s got a great swing, it’s a great start but has a long way to go”.
And as long as you’re going to pull the Tiger “card”, where is the comparison to Nicklaus’ or Palmer’s early career, or is Tiger Woods the only golfer that matters?
And of course we need to view Speith’s GIR and Fairways hit against Tiger’s in 97, but you dont mention that the course is 500 Yards longer than Woods played in ’97.
The sooner you guys realize the days of Tiger are coming to an end, the better it will be for the game. And if he doesn’t eclipse Jack’s 18 Majors then you should start comparing players to Nicklaus, and not Woods. Maybe you should start now
corey
Apr 16, 2014 at 2:23 pm
Dan, Ben made it perfectly clear that he was not down playing what greatness speith has shown. Ben even states how speith rookie season was 2 yrs before tigers, so that makes what speith has done even better when compared to what tiger did in his rookie season. but love or hate tiger the game of golf would not be where it is without him. all these young golfers that are going to carry the game say they all looked up to the same person when they were starting out; that person was tiger. tiger gave the game a new look and brought in these young guns. so love him or hate him you get the pleasure to watch history in the making every time he tees up; whether it is chasing the all time wins or chasing jacks majors. but it is without question, and you’d be smoking something if you deny it, that tiger will go down as one of the top golfers in history and there is the argument to be made as the greatest of all time.
loubdoobe
Apr 16, 2014 at 3:51 pm
The media in general does not know the meaning of “moderation”. I could take Tiger or leave Tiger, I enjoy seeing guys play at this level-they are awesome. I want to puke when Tiger is not even near the lead and announcers continue to fawn and show footage of Tiger–who cares!
Ron
Apr 16, 2014 at 9:31 am
We’ll see how he stacks up when we find out how many women he can handle at one time. Tiger has set the bar pretty high!
T
Apr 15, 2014 at 11:24 pm
nobody of any intelligence considered Jordan the new Tiger. He’s a fantastic young talent that surprised many with his performance last year especially considering his status. Remember, there were many who thought he was making a mistake turning pro at 19. Regardless, while most expected him to eventually be successful, what he continues to do is compete and contend and the win aside I think the Masters performance is his greatest achievement so far. I’m glad you recognized his even par final round was not a choke…those who do are wrong.
Tim Mooney
Apr 15, 2014 at 11:18 pm
Ben:
I think you may be looking in the wrong direction. I conjure up a vision of Palmer v. Nicklaus with your reference to McIlroy v. Speith. I think that this duo stands to do more for golf, combined, than we’ve seen in a couple of decades.
Most purists, I dare say, would love to see Tiger rise again, however, I believe that even more would relish in a rivalry of playing ability between the two ‘youngsters’, Just think what could happen over the next 15-20 years to the popularity of the game, should that rivalry come to fruition?
Eric
Apr 16, 2014 at 1:11 pm
Spieth vs Mcilroy, USA vs Europe, Nike vs UA! Tiger who? We will likely see it at the Ryder cup and it will start something big for golf. Could you imagine the money and advertising that Nike and UA would throw at such a campaign? UA has taken tremendous market share from Nike, especially in men under 40 and they own the youth boys segment. For the commenter that asked why it cannot be about the sport, the answer is simple. Professional sports are about the fans who allow the sport to be. If we don’t watch, there is no sport and we all like heros and villains. All this of course depends on Mcilroy remembering how to play the game and not becoming another Sergio.
Brandel Stumblee
Apr 15, 2014 at 11:09 pm
This article is garbage. What Jordan Spieth did was amazing. Even Nicklaus stumbled in his first major at cherry hills and went on to win a lot after learning how to win. The author of this garbage did get one thing right in that Spieth is not Woods, Tiger was on a couch like most of the world watching to see if Jordan could do it. Spieth will be a nice addition to the Ryder Cup team.
west
Apr 15, 2014 at 11:00 pm
I can’t believe I read this dribble…
SBoss
Apr 15, 2014 at 10:41 pm
Why does every really good young player have to be compared to Tiger Woods? It diminishes a great young talent who also happens to be a nice kid.
Why can’t Jordan Spieth just be…Jordan Spieth? What he’s done is less than one year is staggering and should be fully appreciated without the “but he’s not Tiger Woods” nonsense.
west
Apr 15, 2014 at 11:00 pm
Absolutely, spot on!
MHendon
Apr 15, 2014 at 11:08 pm
I couldn’t agree more and the one thing he has that Tiger has never show is a touch of humility.
Taylor
Apr 16, 2014 at 7:41 am
Really, still hung up on the cheating on his wife thing? Remember when he hugged his dad crying after winning the masters. Personal life aside, I think Tiger for golf did nothing wrong.
Mike
Apr 16, 2014 at 11:13 am
@Taylor – Who said anything about the “cheating on his wife thing”? He said ‘humility”, not “honor”.
loubdoobe
Apr 16, 2014 at 3:46 pm
….not to mention character and moral integrity.
paul
Apr 16, 2014 at 12:00 am
Greatness needs comparison to be great. And writers need articles to write for our entertainment and thought.
SBoss
Apr 16, 2014 at 8:20 am
Spieth is not great at this point. He may be great at some point in the future. So, comparing Spieth to Woods is misguided. It’s not comparing “great to great”.
Why diminish the early accomplishments of a good young player whose climbed the PGA Tour ladder in rapid fashion and almost won a Masters at 20 years old?
Dan
Apr 16, 2014 at 5:06 pm
Why? Because the golfing media is addicted to Tiger Woods. It makes it very easy for them to call attention to their story if they make about Tiger Woods.
Forsbrand
Apr 16, 2014 at 6:38 pm
Tiger is soooo yesterday ya!
leftright
Apr 16, 2014 at 8:42 pm
Speith could give Tiger one a side at the same age…no comparison. Read a damn history book for God’s sake.