The PGA Tour probably would have been a little concerned had they been told ahead of the WM Phoenix Open that the event at TPC Scottsdale would be won by eight shots by a player who is far from being a household name with casual golf fans.
It has been a frustrating start to the PGA Tour season for golf fans, who have had to be patient before getting to see some of the bigger stars on tour tee it up. Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele have both been injured, while Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth did not make their first appearance of the year until the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
McIlroy handed the tour a boost by winning at Pebble Beach, while Spieth reminded fans of exactly what they had missed at the WM Phoenix Open.
Spieth went into the final round at TPC Scottsdale five shots back of Thomas Detry. And while he was unable to get that close to the Belgian, he did whet the appetite for what is to come.
Jordan Spieth adds to the PGA Tour’s headache at the WM Phoenix Open
The 31-year-old made just two bogeys all week in Arizona as he finished in a tie for fourth. Nevertheless, there were still some reminders of why Spieth is loved by so many.
One of the moments which will live long in the memory of those who were watching came on the 11th hole on Sunday when Spieth’s wayward drive came to rest under a bush, forcing the three-time major champion to punt the ball back towards the fairway with the backside of his putter.
Spieth was lauded for making an ‘insane’ par on that hole as he then got up and down. But the moment of brilliance arguably showed one of the big issues the PGA Tour has in tackling slow play.
Of course, the PGA Tour has to do something about the pace of play. Fans could not tolerate the final round of The American Express taking almost six hours earlier this year.
And given that the biggest success to come from TGL has arguably been the shot clock, it is no surprise that some fans are desperate to see a similar innovation come in at PGA Tour events.
Spieth shows why a shot clock may not be right for the PGA Tour
Unfortunately, the drama involving Spieth on Sunday showed that it is simply not possible for fans to have their cake and eat it too.
It added to the drama that Spieth took so long over the ball; weighing up whether to use a wood or his putter, whether to stand with a right or left-handed stance. And had he had 40 seconds to hit the shot, perhaps he would not have produced such a moment of magic.
Golf greatly benefits from those moments where the tension is allowed to rise. A shot clock would certainly not have enhanced the experience of watching Sunday at the US Open last year when Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau battled it out at Pinehurst.
Spieth’s shot was clearly not on the same level when it comes to the stakes involved. But it acted as a reminder that the action desperately needs time to breathe occasionally.
Perhaps there is scope for a shot clock to be used over the first couple of days when the interest is not as high and there are considerably more golfers to get around the course.
But many of us who were calling for a shot clock not too long ago simply have to admit that it was extremely naive to think, in our desperation, that it could solve all of golf’s problems.
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