Jordan Spieth's Return to Form at Players Championship Tests Mental Game
Jordan Spieth opened with a rollercoaster two-under 70 at THE PLAYERS Championship, showing flashes of his vintage form while highlighting his ongoing struggle to recapture his past success.
His front nine was quintessential Spieth - two eagles, two birdies, two bogeys, a double bogey, and just two pars. Though the back nine proved more routine, his animated reactions to mistakes revealed the internal battle he's fighting.
For the first time since his wrist tendon surgery six months ago, Spieth displayed his trademark shot-shaping abilities and creative play. However, despite the encouraging signs, he admits he's still not back to his best.
"I'm getting closer, but I'm still not there," Spieth told Golf Channel. "When I stand over it and I'm not trying to avoid things - instead, I'm picking a target and I'm very confident it's going to start on that target and move where I want it - that's where I want to be."
The three-time major champion hasn't won a major in eight years or a PGA Tour event in three years. He acknowledges the challenge of rebuilding his game after surgery, especially given the poor habits he developed over the previous 18 months.
The good news? His wrist feels strong, allowing him to practice more intensively. "My wrist feels really good this week, so that allows me to feel like I can push it a bit, when I couldn't the first few events of the season," Spieth explained.
While observers might see promising signs of the old Spieth emerging, the player himself remains cautiously optimistic as he works to bridge the gap between his current form and the consistency that once made him one of golf's most dynamic players.