Jordan Spieth informed what the ‘next step’ is for him after his encouraging showing at the WM Phoenix Open

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While it was Thomas Detry who triumphed in some style at the WM Phoenix Open over the weekend, it was hard not to feel that it was a particularly significant week at TPC Scottsdale for Jordan Spieth.

Jordan Spieth was making only his second start of the year on the PGA Tour at the WM Phoenix Open. And he certainly did not pull up any trees at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am recently, with a 79 on Saturday putting paid to his hopes of a decent finish.

But he bounced back superbly in Phoenix, with the 31-year-old going into the final round as one of the players tied for second on 13 under par.

And while he never really looked like putting pressure on Thomas Detry on Sunday, he certainly made his mark on the tournament, finishing in a tie for fourth and producing some classic Jordan Spieth moments along the way.

Question asked of Jordan Spieth after the WM Phoenix Open

Many fans were stunned by the par Spieth made on 11, while it was a moment of sheer brilliance to set up a birdie on the 17th hole.

It has definitely whet the appetite for what is to come from Spieth in the months ahead. But perhaps fans should be wary of getting too carried away with his performance in Phoenix.

Speaking on the Golf Channel Podcast, Ryan Lavner noted that Spieth’s record at the event should perhaps dampen expectations for the time-being.

“There was a lot of hand wringing at the fact Jordan Spieth got a sponsor’s exemption into this week’s Genesis Invitational and Pebble and I’m sure future signature events down the line. But Jordan Spieth showed the goods in Phoenix, even when he didn’t necessarily strike it his best. I think Saturday was a good indication that he still shot a bogey free 67, making just two bogeys all week. Very, very impressive,” he said.

“One thing to keep in mind though is that Jordan Spieth has always had success at TPC Scottsdale. This is his sixth top 10 finish in nine career appearances. Can he duplicate it at other golf courses where he hasn’t had success? That is the next step for him.”

How Spieth has performed at the WM Phoenix Open over the years

It is a very valid point. Spieth’s performance was so impressive when you consider how long he has been sidelined and some of the difficulties he had the previous week.

And it was his joint-best finish at the WM Phoenix Open. However, six top 10 finishes in nine appearances certainly suggests that he has very fond memories of playing at TPC Scottsdale. In fact, he has finished in the top six in four of the last five years.

So the jury should probably remain out for the time-being. But that will not stop Spieth’s fans from dreaming of what may be to come.