Jordan Spieth’s emergence in 2013 had the golfing world wondering if a new Tiger Woods-esque level of dominance was about to happen.
In his first full season on Tour, Spieth finished runner-up three times and won the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run. For a 20-year-old, it was pretty remarkable stuff.
Just two years later, Spieth won the Masters and US Open, finished second at the PGA Championship, and tied fourth at the Open. For the first time since Woods’ prime, the prospect of a season-long grand slam was very real.
Spieth’s emergence into the professional scene coincided with Woods’ clinching the 2013 Player of the Year award. Twelve years ago, Woods won five of 16 events and appeared to be edging closer to his previous best.
Tiger Woods’ statement about Jordan Spieth and a look back on their 2013 seasons
When named Player of the Year in 2013, Woods was asked to discuss Spieth, who had just picked up the Rookie of the Year award.
Woods was asked: “Tiger, what qualities in Jordan remind you of yourself when you were a rookie?”
He replied: “Well, I think belief. He did have a wonderful college career and came out with some success, and just one of those things: if you build momentum and play on a regular basis. You’re able to be consistent and put yourself there, you start gaining confidence, and you can see it snowball and continue to roll down the hill.
“If you look at each year how he’s progressed, he kept getting better and better, more comfortable and more consistent, and ultimately winning the John Deere and playing extremely well the rest of the year as well and getting into the Tour Championship and then finishing second there. Certainly, I think the inner belief in one’s self is certainly key, and I think Jordan demonstrates that.”
- READ MORE: What PGA Tour players have been telling Jordan Spieth about playing in TGL in conversations he’s had
The Jordan Spieth comeback at Pebble Beach and the AT&T Pro-Am
After bursting onto the scene and eventually dominating in 2015, the past two years have been difficult for Spieth. The 31-year-old’s last victory came at the 2022 RBC Heritage; since then, it’s been a pretty barren spell.
In 2024, Spieth made 22 PGA Tour appearances and only finished in the top ten three times, one of them being the season-opener at The Sentry. Towards the end of the year, the three-time major winner revealed that an ongoing wrist injury was hampering him. Spieth underwent surgery in August and the 31-year-old is now pain-free, playing his first event of the PGA Tour season: the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Playing Spyglass Hill, Spieth is two-under after his opening 18 holes. Starting on the 10th, the American made three quick birdies before dropping shots on no.2 and no.4. He bounced back with a birdie on no.7, however. Spieth is eight shots back of the lead heading into round two.
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