(Photo Courtesy of The Independent, UK)
He reminds me not of a golfer built with the perfect physique nor the perfect swing but as a golfer with the tenacity of a cat stalking a bird. Jordan Speith looked done. After 13 holes he was history – surely it was Matt Kuchar’s time. Then without warning as if he were an ambush – birdie, eagle, birdie, birdie, par to win by three. By the time Matt K had figured out what was happening it was finished.
A wise old pro here told me once of a time when he teed it up with the Bear, The Golden Bear, in The Open. My wise old pro piped one down the middle off the first to Nicklaus’ snipe to the left and so it went. At the end of the round the wise old pro had 74 written on his scorecard and the Bear had 68. Ambushed. Sniped. Pure will power to put a number on the scorecard enough to win. Same as Speith. Speith could win 20 majors with that mental fortitude at age 22. He’s long enough but not the longest. He hits the ball well enough, but not the greatest striker. He makes the ball go in the hole when needed. That is why I think he’ll be in the same class as the Bear, Arnie, Gary Player, Hogan and the Big Cat – he plays to win not to have the prettiest swing.
mysportingvoice.com 