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I\u2019m aware, as they say in England, that it’s the hope that kills you. It would be healthy for me to move on and appreciate other golfers. Spieth is now 32 years old. His window, even in the most optimistic scenarios, is closing. Arnold Palmer won his last major at age 34. Tom Watson’s last major came at age 33. Their accomplishments dwarf Spieth\u2019s, and even they were mostly out of magic by 35. Most days, I can convince myself that Spieth has another 15 years of contention in him, that he could \u2014 like Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Tiger Woods, or Phil Mickelson \u2014 be competitive into his 40s. But I know that is probably wishful thinking. <\/p>\n
There is a good chance I am longing for a second act that will never arrive.<\/p>\n
Not only is Spieth not the player he was 10 years ago, professional golf is different than it was 10 years ago, as my colleague Joseph LaManga is quick to remind me. Fields are deeper, swing speeds are faster, and course setups are more difficult. The harsh reality is, Spieth can\u2019t just summon the player he was back when he was winning majors. He needs to be better than the 2015 version of Spieth that he\u2019s still chasing. <\/p>\n
I know I would be better off embracing the next generation of young golf talent, that by holding on to Spieth I am failing to appreciate the great players that might be emerging right in front of me. There will be a round this year when I choose to follow Spieth, notebook in my hand, instead of Michael Thorbjornsen, Marco Penge, Luke Clanton, or Aldrich Potgieter. It won\u2019t make sense, but I\u2019ll do it anyway. That is the trap nostalgia sets. It distracts you from appreciating the present. <\/p>\n
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This is the last year I\u2019m going to pray for Spieth\u2019s resurrection. My faith, you might say, is wavering. <\/p>\n
But if a few 20-footers start going in again, if he hits a flop shot over a hospitality tent or slings a draw under a tree branch and chases it to three feet, it\u2019s going to be hard to let go of those feelings. We\u2019re headed back to Royal Birkdale this year for the Open Championship. How am I supposed to ignore what it will feel like to return to the scene of Spieth\u2019s magnum opus of chaotic good? <\/p>\n
It\u2019s going to be like attending a wedding and stepping onto the dance floor after a few drinks. I don\u2019t want to discover new music. I just want the DJ to play the hits, to fool me into thinking the past isn\u2019t that far gone. I\u2019ll deal with reality in the morning.<\/p>\n
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