When golf fans think back to the 2017 Open Championship, it is likely that many will struggle to shake the image of Jordan Spieth taking a drop on the driving range at Royal Birkdale as he attempted to limit the damage following a wayward tee shot on the 13th hole in the final round.
It is surprising to think that the 2017 Open Championship remains the most recent major win of Jordan Spieth‘s career. He had actually gone five majors without registering a top 10 heading into Royal Birkdale.
Spieth had been at least tied for the lead after each of the first three rounds in Southport. In fact, he started the final day with a three shot advantage over Matt Kuchar.
Within four holes, however, the pair were tied.
As they teed off on the 14th hole, it was actually Kuchar who led. Spieth had needed to pull off a miraculous shot from the practice area to save a bogey on the 13th hole.
The shot Jordan Spieth once picked out as the best of his career
Given that Spieth’s previous taste with major glory had ended in a dramatic collapse at the 2016 Masters, it was hard not to wonder if he was going to fall away again and hand his countryman his first major title.
However, Spieth would play the final five holes in five under par to win by three. And the run started with the shot so good that the Texan immediately began to walk after it.
He also named it the best he has ever hit when asked on Subpar in 2023.
“I have an answer. I hit a six iron at The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on the 14th hole. I had lost the lead and hit a six iron and almost made it, lipped it out and it got me going,” he said.
“But it was the prettiest six iron I’ve ever hit. Just a straight ball at the stick and almost went in and it kind of helped rearrange that Open Championship for me and close it out.”
How Matt Kuchar reacted to Jordan Spieth’s amazing tee shot on the 14th hole at The Open Championship
Understandably, one of the big talking points was the drama on the 13th hole. It cannot have been easy for Kuchar to stay in the zone while that was going on.
It would prove to be the best finish Kuchar ever had in a major. Nevertheless, he was incredibly gracious after the final round – and was full of praise for the tee shot his playing partner hit on the 14th.
“We knew Jordan was in a great deal of trouble on 13. I went ahead and played my second shot knowing that it was going to be a while, I wanted to hit it while I was still somewhat fresh and in the mood of swinging a club. I hit a great shot and knew we were in for a big delay. I knew that taking a drop far back on the range, trying to get the correct line that you take an unplayable drop, and then from there trying to figure out the distance, trying to figure out where to aim his shot. We knew we were going to be there for a while. We made ourselves comfy and told some stories. Certainly it was not anything I was ever going to be upset with. It’s very understanding. It’s a very difficult situation,” he said.
“Once we started playing again, I had a great shot at birdie and nearly thought my putt was going in to make a birdie there. I didn’t lose any momentum. All of a sudden I now have a one shot lead after that hole in the British Open with five to go. I’m playing really well. Hitting a lot of good shots. I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing. And he just — he really turned it up.
“His shot into 14 was spectacular. I think it must have come close to going in. That was a great shot and a great birdie. And the eagle the next. I knew all of a sudden I went from even to one down, even making a birdie, myself. But I figured I’ll keep plotting along, even though I’m one down, I have three holes to play. I’m still in it. Still got a chance.”
Spieth meanwhile would experience being a runner-up in The Open Championship four years later as Collin Morikawa triumphed at Royal St George’s.
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