Is Jordan Spieth Back? Signs Point to 2017 Form Ahead of Grand Slam Bid
Let’s cut to the chase. Is Jordan Spieth *back* back? Not quite the dominant force he was in his absolute prime. But watching him lately, especially at the Truist Championship, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was 2017 all over again. He was making it look eerily familiar, and that’s got golf fans buzzing. Especially with a massive opportunity looming.
For a while there, Spieth, the former World No. 1, the guy with three majors already in the bag, seemed to be going through the motions. You know, the walking commentator, the guy who talks himself through every shot. He was stuck in neutral for the first 42 holes of the Truist Championship, sitting at even par. Then came the seventh hole. A beast of a 553-yard par-5. After a bogey on the previous hole, he needed something. Anything. To get back into the red figures.
The Eagle That Sparked a Memory
He reached the green in two. A steeply uphill, 66-footer for eagle. Most guys would be happy to two-putt for par. Not Spieth. He gave it a rap. And that ball? It marched towards the cup. Climbed the ridge in the middle of the green. Took a subtle break to the left. Rattled the flagstick. And dropped. Eagle. Pure theatre.
The crowd went nuts. They love Spieth, one of the PGA Tour’s golden boys. Even though he’s only snagged two PGA Tour wins since his last major back in 2017, moments like that remind you why he’s so popular. And you get the feeling Spieth himself doesn’t think it’s 2017 anymore. He’s playing like it.
And here’s where it gets interesting. After that eagle, Spieth did something classic. A nod to his 2017 Open Championship victory at Royal Birkdale. He calmly looked at his caddie, Michael Greller, pointed at him, and then motioned towards the hole. Greller went and got the ball. Sound familiar? Of course it does. Who could forget Spieth yelling, “Go get that,” to Greller after draining a ridiculous 48-foot eagle putt on the 15th to reclaim the solo lead at Birkdale? That was after a wild stretch where he’d bogeyed the 13th thanks to a tee shot that went onto the driving range, only to stuff his approach on the 14th for birdie. That’s the kind of grit and drama we’ve come to expect from him.
Why Does All This Matter Now?
Simple. Next week is Spieth’s 10th shot at the career Grand Slam. That’s right, the PGA Championship at Aronimink, just outside Philadelphia, is his next opportunity to etch his name alongside the legends. It’s a big deal. A really, really big deal.
Now, Spieth hasn’t won a major since that 2017 Open. His last PGA Tour win was the 2022 RBC Heritage. But this season? He’s been showing flashes. Signs that the game he displayed in the mid-2010s, when he ripped off three majors in three years, is starting to resurface. He’s currently sitting 37th in the FedEx Cup standings. And get this – he’s made a bunch of equipment changes recently. Including, for the first time in his career, switching his golf ball model.
Those changes? They paid off handsomely. He was tied for second heading into the weekend at the Truist Championship. Cam Young eventually ran away with it, but the performance was undeniable.
This week, the driver and ball adjustments have clearly borne fruit. He’s ranking third in the field in Strokes Gained: Off-The-Tee. That’s a category that used to be a real bugbear for him earlier in his career. Now? He’s attacking it.
And that eagle on the seventh? It wasn’t just a pretty shot. It jump-started his round. He finished with a three-under 68, putting him in the top-30 as the weekend wrapped up. Sure, he probably wasn’t going to contend for the win at Quail Hollow, where the lead was a solid 10 under by the time he finished his third round. But could all this momentum, these flashes of brilliance, be the prelude to him putting it all together next week? That elusive Wanamaker Trophy, the one piece missing from his Grand Slam puzzle, feels closer than it has in a long time.
Looking Back at the 2017 Magic
So, what was so special about 2017? It was the year Spieth cemented his place in golf history. He’d already won the Masters and the U.S. Open in 2015, and then came the Open Championship. At Royal Birkdale, a notoriously tough links course, Spieth was locked in a fierce battle. He was often trading blows with his playing partners, making clutch putts, and showing incredible resilience. That eagle on the 15th hole in the final round, the one that led to the “Go get that” moment with Greller, was pure escapology. It came after a disastrous tee shot on 13, a scramble, and then a birdie on 14. He didn’t just recover; he attacked. He turned a potential disaster into a legendary moment.
That kind of mental fortitude, that ability to rebound and seize the moment, is what separates the good players from the truly great ones. And when Spieth is playing his best, he possesses that in spades. He has a unique ability to stay present, to focus on the shot at hand, even when the pressure is immense. It’s a skill that’s incredibly difficult to master, and even harder to maintain over a long career.
Equipment Changes: A Calculated Gamble?
The recent equipment overhaul is a significant talking point. For a player like Spieth, who has been so consistent with his gear for so long, a wholesale change, especially the golf ball, is a bold move. It suggests a deep belief that these new tools will unlock a new level of performance. The fact that it’s already yielding positive results, particularly in driving distance and accuracy, is a massive confidence booster.
Golf equipment is a constantly evolving landscape. Manufacturers are always pushing the boundaries of technology. For tour professionals, finding the right combination of clubs and balls is crucial. It’s not just about raw power; it’s about consistency, feel, and confidence. When you find something that clicks, it can make a tangible difference on the course. Spieth’s willingness to experiment, and the immediate positive feedback, speaks volumes about his commitment to finding that perfect setup for his game.
The drive for distance has been a major trend in professional golf for years. Players are consistently hitting the ball further than ever before. For Spieth, who has sometimes been at a disadvantage in this area compared to some of the longer hitters on tour, improvements in his driving game are a significant advantage. It opens up more opportunities for him to attack pins and score birdies. Combined with his renowned putting stroke and sharp iron play, a more potent driver could make him a truly formidable force again.
The Grand Slam Dream: Is This the Year?
The career Grand Slam is one of golf’s ultimate achievements. It requires winning all four major championships: the Masters, the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship. Only a select few golfers in history have managed to do it. It’s a testament to a player’s versatility, their ability to perform under the most intense pressure, and their mastery of different types of golf courses.
Spieth already has the Masters and the U.S. Open from 2015, and The Open Championship from 2017. The PGA Championship has been his Achilles’ heel. He’s come close, but hasn’t quite sealed the deal. The Wanamaker Trophy, awarded to the PGA Championship winner, is the missing piece of his personal puzzle.
This year, with the tournament being held at Aronimink, a course known for its challenging layout and demanding conditions, Spieth will need to be at his absolute best. But if he can harness the kind of form he showed in 2017, if he can recapture that fearless attacking style, and if his recent equipment tweaks continue to pay dividends, then yes, it’s entirely possible. The signs are there. The momentum is building.
As golf fans, we can only hope. We want to see Spieth back in contention, battling for major championships. We want to witness history being made. And if this resurgence is anything to go by, the PGA Championship could be the stage for something truly special. Let’s not forget, this year’s Open Championship also returns to Royal Birkdale. Another chance for Spieth to revisit a place of past glories. The narrative is certainly building.
It’s the kind of storyline that makes golf so compelling. The comeback. The redemption. The pursuit of greatness. Jordan Spieth has always been a player who delivers drama. And with the PGA Championship on the horizon, and the echoes of his 2017 success ringing in our ears, it feels like we might be on the verge of another chapter in his already remarkable career. Keep an eye on him. This could be big.
If you’re looking to improve your own game and perhaps emulate some of Spieth’s success, consider exploring different golf training aids or even consulting with a golf instructor. For example, understanding the impact of different club lofts and lies can be crucial, and resources like Golf Distillery’s guide on loft and lie angle can provide valuable insights.