Profiles in Time: Jordan Spieth

Athleticism runs in Jordan Spieth’s blood. Both of his parents are former college basketball players, and Spieth showed a breadth of skill at a young age. Growing up, Jordan Spieth tried on every sport, from basketball to soccer, baseball to football, and, of course, golf. His parents recognized his particular affinity for golf in 2002 when he was just nine years old. He even mowed a section of their yard as low as possible so he could practice his putting. Soon after, his parents became members at a local country club so he could have a proper place to practice.

Jordan Spieth: Early Training

Jordan Spieth began his formal training in 2005 at age twelve under former pro golfer Cameron McCormick. His work quickly paid off. In 2009, at age sixteen, and again in 2011, at age eighteen, he won the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship. He was only the second golfer to win the event twice, the first being the legendary Tiger Woods.

After graduating from Jesuit College Preparatory School in 2011, he attended college at the University of Texas. There, he led his team to the NCAA Championship his freshman year. For his efforts, the Big 12 named him Player of the Year and a first-team All-American. After his successful first year, he decided to go pro in 2012 at age nineteen.

His First Years on the PGA Tour

Early victories in his professional career led Spieth to gain temporary status on the PGA Tour in 2013. In July of that year, Spieth solidified his place in professional golf. Just before his twentieth birthday, he claimed his first PGA title at the John Deere Classic and became the youngest to do so in over 80 years. Needless to say, he was awarded full membership status after his impressive victory. Later in 2013, he finished runner-up at both the Wyndham Championship and the Tour Championship. After a remarkable first season, he was named Rookie of the Year and invited to join the Presidents Cup team.

Spieth kept his momentum in his second season in 2014. However, it was during his third year as a pro in 2015 that Spieth took the golfing world by storm. He started out the season with his second PGA Tour win at the Valspar Championship. Then came his monumental Masters win. Spieth recorded one of the lowest scores in Masters’ history at 18-under 270, tying Tiger Woods’ record. With his victory, he became the second youngest player, after Woods, to be the tournament champion.

Spieth’s winning streak didn’t stop there. Later in 2015, he went on to score another victory at the U.S. Open. He became the sixth golfer to win the two tournaments in the same year and the youngest player to win more than one major in over 90 years. He ended the season with a third win at the Tour Championship. As a result, he was awarded the PGA Tour Player of the Year and received a Jack Nicklaus Award.

Spieth and Rolex

The top-ranked golfer’s focus and drive remained steady in his next season in 2016. Then, in 2017, Spieth broke records again as the youngest American to win the British Open. Later that year, he went on to score two more victories at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Travelers Championship. Spieth’s final win in 2017 came in the form of a partnership with Rolex. He was invited to join an elite group of up and coming golfers as part of the prestigious watch brand’s New Guard.

Earlier in 2018, Spieth landed in third place at the Masters. Now, he’s playing in this year’s U.S. Open, hoping for another victory. Though you won’t catch him wearing one of his Rolex watches on the course, be sure to check out his wrist in post-game interviews and see if you can spot his Explorer II or his Daytona.