Jordan Spieth may have moved rapidly up the list of top names still awaiting their first win of the year after The CJ CUP Byron Nelson this week, but there were plenty of positive signs for the 31-year-old.
The turbulent start to the season for Jordan Spieth continued at The CJ CUP Byron Nelson this week. The three-time major winner finished fourth at TPC Craig Ranch.
Obviously, a brilliant final round of 62 played a pivotal role in Spieth’s superb finish. He did not make a single bogey on Sunday in Texas.
But perhaps there was another factor which played a part in helping Spieth produce one of his most assured displays in some time.
Jordan Spieth lauds playing partner after The CJ CUP Byron Nelson
Of course, Spieth was playing in his home state. He was one of a number of Texas-based players who teed it up at TPC Craig Ranch. And another player who featured and resides in the Lone Star State now is Si-woo Kim.
Funnily enough, Kim and Spieth ended up playing alongside each other in all four rounds this week. Spieth joked after the third round that they were delighted that they would end up playing together again on Sunday.
And speaking after his final round, Spieth explained how much he enjoys it whenever he gets the chance to tee it up alongside the South Korean.
“Not much other than the hole actually looked like there was a hole there, which was nice for a change this week. I made the putt on four and five and all of a sudden it looked better,” he said, as he reflected on his putting display.
“This was a nine iron on 11, it is back in a bowl and if you hit it towards it you know it’s going to be pretty close. It fed down there nicely and Si-woo’s ball was even closer, he let me know about it! But we had a great time over the four days. I would play with him any day.”
“I would sign up to be paired with him, maybe one of my favourite pairings on tour. Just really entertaining. He and Manny are so entertaining. He’s fast. He roots for you. It’s an easy pairing,” he went on to add.
“Yeah, we were obviously celebrating, we both wanted it after number nine yesterday. I mean, he’s just a tremendous talent, so you’re watching shots that I like to play around the greens, but not many people like to play them. Si-woo is like hold my beer and watch this pretty much. He’ll one-up you on shots that you think you’re good at. It’s very fun.”
When Si-woo Kim stole the show with a stunning chip at the Presidents Cup
Of course, Kim hit one of the most iconic short game shots on the PGA Tour last year – and provided a celebration to match it.
Kim appeared to have no chance of giving Tom Kim a genuine opportunity to save par on the 16th hole in what appeared to be a crucial match against Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay on the penultimate day at the Presidents Cup.
But it turned out that they did not need to worry about saving par. Kim hit a stunning chip and found the bottom of the cup to spark wild scenes at Royal Montreal. Few will forget the Night Night celebration to go along with the shot – even if the International side still ended losing the match.
There are not many players on the PGA Tour capable of that sort of brilliance around the greens, but Kim and Spieth most definitely are amongst them.
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