Just as it happened with Arnold Palmer, and then with Tiger Woods, you can feel it all over again.
In the heat of the battle which was unfolding in St Andrews on Monday, I received a text message from a friend in India, whose only knowledge of golf is restricted to knowing the names of Woods and Rory McIlroy. The message was that he was watching the final round of the 144th Open – a first for him to plan and watch live golf – and it concluded with ‘Go Jordan’ and about 20 exclamation marks.
Jordan Spieth may not have been able to keep his date with history at the Home of Golf, but he has already started doing something way bigger – he is helping golf make new friends. The calendar grand slam is considered so tough, nobody seriously thought it was possible.
Scottish golf fans serenaded Jordan Spieth at the British Open http://t.co/bM2ALeCxyx https://t.co/x0U0seIRhY
— SB Nation (@SBNation) July 20, 2015
None of the professionals have ever managed it before, and the only one to come close is Bobby Jones, who won the Open and the US Open, as well as the US and British Amateurs, in the days when the Masters wasn’t born and the PGA Championship had not grown in stature.
The talk would start every year at the Masters, and more often than not, would come to a grinding halt at the US Open. As it is, it is hard for a player to peak for just one major, but to do that four times in a year spread over a period of five months seems beyond the realms of possibility.
There is also the fact that the field has become extremely deep over the years. Any of the top-50 players in the world are capable of making a run any given week and upsetting the more established names. And that is where Spieth’s bid, even though failed despite his gallant attempt, is different. He did not lose the tournament by a large margin and was in contention until the very last shot, battling the torrid conditions on the back nine of The Old Course.
The birdie on the 16th, where he poured in a 40-foot putt on the second most difficult hole on the golf course, could have been the work of a Jedi Master – willed more by the mind than matter.
The eventual tied-fourth finish for the 21-year-old is as important as his Masters and the US Open wins. To make six three-putts during the week, and then make matters worse with a four-putt double bogey in the middle of the final round, would have demoralized any player.
– The Open: Same old story for Jason Day & Sergio Garcia
– St Andrews: Road Hole on 17th proves golfers’ undoing
– The Open: Jordan Spieth impressed by 2015 amateurs
– VIDEO: Spieth sets sights on PGA Championships
Putting is the most potent weapon in Spieth’s arsenal, and it wasn’t happening all week for him. And yet, he never gave up.
Obviously, the golfing world has the highest regard for Spieth’s playing abilities – you don’t win back-to-back majors unless and until you are bloody good at what you do. But there were certain small gestures by him that are adding to his growing legend.
Things like his interaction with children during the long break in play on Saturday where he kept giving them balls, caps and high-fives near the range. Later, he stayed for the duration of the play-off holes, just to make sure he could congratulate his good friend Zach Johnson in case he won.
The champion was so touched, there were tears in his eyes when asked about Spieth later in the press conference.
There will be more chances to rewrite history. Until then, Spieth is just happy to make some more friends.
