Jordan Spieth endured an eventful day in the first round of the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio on Thursday.
His one over 73, on paper, seems relatively run-of-the-mill. However, the 30-year-old’s scorecard made for exciting viewing.
The highlight of Spieth’s round came on the par-three 16th, as the American made an ace to salvage a below-par outing.
The 13-time PGA Tour winner played the first nine in two over, with four bogeys accompanied by two birdies.
Spieth’s round took a turn for the worst on the par five 14th, with a double bogey pushing him out to four over for the day.
Yet, his hole-in-one, along with a birdie at the 17th, saw the 30-year-old salvage his scorecard and retain hope of making it through to the weekend.
Spieth spoke briefly to the media after his round, and the American cut a very frustrated figure.
Jordan Spieth says something ‘bizarre’ happened to him at the Valero Texas Open
Despite his poor form, the three-time major winner is adamant his game is in a good place ahead of next week’s Masters.
“I am playing so much better than I’ve been scoring. It’s hard to explain,” said Spieth [footage from Ten Golf].
“I’ve played way worse and had consecutive top tens than the missed cuts that I’ve had. It’s just very bizarre. My game feels fine, and I’m just not getting much out of it.”
Spieth added: “So it was extremely frustrating because I drove the living piss out of the ball today and picked the wrong line on 14, and it’s the one drive I miss five or six yards right of where I was looking, and then I don’t find it, see now my driving stats don’t look the way I feel, and I am four over, and I’m like ‘this is not a hard track this afternoon, what in the world is going on’.
“I got a couple of nice breaks late that made me feel like the game is not as hard as it’s been feeling.”
What has Jordan Spieth’s 2024 record been like thus far?
Of course, the world’s best target this time of year to come into peak form. Augusta is the pinnacle of the sport, and Spieth – more than most – is desperate to add a second Green Jacket to his resume.
However, his form has to be questioned.
He has played four events in 2024. Thus far, he’s managed two top tens, two top 25s and missed two cuts. It’s steady stuff but hardly on the level to compete with the likes of Scottie Scheffler at Augusta.
Spieth’s recent performances are worrying. Missed cuts at The Players and The Valspar were far from ideal.
We know he can grind out low scores, but more is required if he wants to threaten the leaderboard come Sunday evening next week.
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