George Willis

George Willis

Sports

Despite falling short, future bright for 20-year-old Spieth

AUGUSTA , Ga. — Sports is all about timing. That’s the moment when preparation meets execution and it all comes together to create success. Sometimes the stars align. Sometimes the timing isn’t quite right.

For 20-year-old Jordan Spieth, the 78th Masters wasn’t his time to make history as the youngest ever to win a green jacket. Instead, it must serve as motivation to continue his quest to be golf’s next star.

“It stings right now,” he said after watching Bubba Watson beat him by three strokes and celebrate winning his second Masters in three years. “The only thing I’m thinking about is when am I getting back next year. That’s what’s on my mind. It’s tough being in this position.”

There’s nothing that happened in the final round of the Masters that dispels the notion Spieth will be wearing the same sport coat Watson was presented with by defending champion Adam Scott. There is nothing to be ashamed of finishing with an even par 72 on Sunday. While most of his peers are still playing college golf, Spieth validated the hype that surrounds him by finishing his first Masters in a tie for second with Jonas Blixt of Sweden at 5-under par. He’s a kid playing among grown men.

“I was nervous,” he admitted. “I wasn’t quite as patient as I was the first three rounds and holding emotions as well. It was still the best I’ve ever done on a Sunday [at a major]. I know that it can only improve from there. That’s what’s driving me to get back out.”

The lessons learned during his 18-hole journey Sunday through Augusta National will serve him well. So will the mistakes that cost him the tournament. There was the three-putt bogey at the par-4 seventh hole followed by another bogey at the 8th that cost him a two-shot lead.

And there was the brutal tee-shot at the par-3 12th where his 9-iron didn’t provide enough distance against the wind. The ball hit the slope of the green and rolled back into the water.

“I guess I just got a little aggressive over the ball and played a little bit of a fade instead of just hitting that straight over the bunker,” he said. “That was tough to swallow.”

So was missing birdie putts at the par-5 15th and the par-3 16th. By then it was clear, this would not be his time to shine.

“I had it in my hands and I could have gone forward with it and just didn’t quite make the putts and that’s what it came down to,” Spieth said. “But ultimately I’m very happy with the week, happy with the way my game is at going forward for this year. I’ve accomplished one of my goals this year, which is to get in contention in a major and see how I can do. Hopefully, going forward I can do that again.”

His time will come. Spieth has too much talent and determination not to win a major championship in the near future. The 2013 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year may not have supplanted Tiger Woods to become the youngest player to ever win the Masters. But he made it clear his game and his ambition are big enough for greatness.

Spieth wasn’t so focused that he didn’t enjoy the experience.

“Certain shots when you want it so bad and when you strike it, you know it’s a little off-line,” he said. “But when you walked up to each green, the standing ovation coming down the back nine of Augusta is a feeling I won’t forget.”

Surely Spieth will benefit from this Masters Sunday. He watched as Watson paraded around Augusta National slapping the hands of patrons with his son Caleb in his arms.

“I worked my whole life to lead Augusta on Sunday,” Spieth said. “It’s early in my career and I’ll have more chances.”

His time will come.