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Jordan Spieth: How Michael Jordan and Michael Phelps helped win The Open

By James Caldwell

SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND - JULY 23: Jordan Spieth of the United States celebrates his birdie putt on the 16th hole during the final round of the 146th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on July 23, 2017 in Southport, England. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND - JULY 23: Jordan Spieth of the United States celebrates his birdie putt on the 16th hole during the final round of the 146th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on July 23, 2017 in Southport, England. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Jordan Spieth had the same thoughts as everyone else watching his potential collapse at The Open tournament on Sunday.

Yes, Jordan Spieth was also thinking about the 2016 Masters when the Texas Golf legend blew an opportunity to win back-to-back Masters titles.

Here on Sunday at the prestigious Open tournament, Spieth was facing the same situation.

Spieth led after Thursday, Friday, and Saturday on his way to a comfortable lead heading into Sunday. But, Spieth started terribly on the front nine.

He admitted in the post-round press conference that thoughts were going through his mind of that Masters collapse.

“The wheels were coming off everything,” Spieth said before going into his thought process. “How do we get back on track to salvage this round and give yourself a chance at the end?”

This time, though, he did something about it midway through the back nine.

Spieth decided that if he wants to be the best golfer in the world, he needs to start acting like it.

Yes, just like Michael Jordan in basketball and Michael Phelps in Olympics swimming.

Jordan Spieth Wants to Be Great

Jordan Spieth has a burning desire to be great. Not just Phil Mickelson great. But, at the level of Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer.

Spieth wants to be one of the greatest of all-time.

It’s what drew him to Texas for a chance to be great like Longhorns Golf legends Ben Crenshaw and Tom Kite.

The result was a national championship as a freshman.

On Sunday, Jordan Spieth was staring down another opportunity to be great. Otherwise, he would have had just as many majors collapses (2016 Masters and 2017 The Open) as majors victories (2015 Masters and 2015 U.S. Open).

Instead, Spieth decided it would be three majors victories and just the one collapse that he plans to avenge down the road.

Asked during his post-round conference if he believes he’s the best golfer in the world, Spieth dove into his philosophy.

“I just needed a little belief that you are (the best). Michael Jordan and Michael Phelps are the greatest to ever do what they did. I’m not,” Spieth said.

“But, if you believe that you are, then you’re almost as good as being that. It’s so hard in that situation to believe that. But, just having the slightest bit of belief in that makes you so confident.”

Spieth rode that confidence to a legendary performance on the last five holes of The Open to win by three strokes and claim his third major.

What’s Next for Jordan Spieth?

The Open victory for Jordan Spieth was at the level of his first major at the 2015 Masters.

Spieth was absolutely dominant and brilliant in all four rounds of The Masters two years ago. No one was close to making a run if Spieth slipped up.

Then, Sunday’s performance required a different level of golf skills. It required guts, determination, and unbelievable focus to beat Matt Kuchar.

Both victories were equally amazing, just in completely different ways.

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Now, Spieth has a chance to make history in three weeks.

The last major of the year is the PGA Championship starting August 10 at Quail Hollow.

It’s the last leg of the career grand slam that Spieth has not won yet.

And, if Jordan Spieth wins this tournament, he will move from a golf legend to a sports legend, just like Michael Jordan and Michael Phelps.

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