While 2015 proved to be the year Jordan Spieth showed just how much potential he truly had, there had been a number of signs in the years prior which showed that there was something a bit different about the Texan.
Jordan Spieth remains one of the biggest names on the PGA Tour despite some testing years. No-one would have ever believed in 2017 that he would go into 2025 still awaiting his fourth major title.
Spieth won 10 times between 2015 and 2017, including three majors and the Tour Championship. Meanwhile, he has established himself as one of the best competitors USA have in their team competitions.
He formed a formidable partnership with Patrick Reed from the 2014 Ryder Cup, while he then had similar success alongside Justin Thomas. In fact, he has not missed a Ryder Cup since that debut at Gleneagles, while he has only missed the Presidents Cup in 2019 and 2024 since his first appearance in that event.
What Phil Mickelson promised Jordan Spieth after they played together in the FedEx Cup playoffs in 2013
And it turns out that Phil Mickelson played a small role in ensuring that he made his Presidents Cup bow in 2013. Spieth finished 22nd in the qualification standings that year, yet received the call from Fred Couples.
The likes of Dustin Johnson, Jim Furyk and Bubba Watson missed out in favour of Spieth. And speaking on The Smylie Show in 2023, Spieth explained how he ended up with Mickelson in his corner after that year’s Deutsche Bank Championship.
“I eagled the 72nd hole in Boston, and I was paired with Mickelson. And I remember him telling me after the round that he was going to call Freddie Couples about making sure I would get picked on that team,” he said.
“As you mentioned, I would never have guessed Presidents Cup; even up through John Deere, it was like I’m not going to be in the playoffs, so I just take off the playoffs and get ready for the fall series. And all of a sudden, I’m going to Jack’s place to play in a Presidents Cup that year. That part went by really quick as well.”
How Jordan Spieth fared during his Presidents Cup debut
It appeared to be an inspired move to pair Spieth with Steve Stricker at Muirfield Village. Stricker had arguably been one of USA’s most consistent players for the best part of a decade by that stage.
And the pair would deliver two points from two matches over the first two days in Ohio.
Unfortunately for Spieth, he would lose his one match on Saturday, as well as his singles match on Sunday. But USA were still able to get across the line, recording an 18.5-15.5 victory.
And of the four American rookies that week – Brandt Snedeker, Keegan Bradley and Jason Dufner qualified automatically – it would prove to be Spieth who developed into a stalwart for years to come, vindicating Mickelson’s faith.
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