If Speith winning the Masters was his announcement to the golfing world that he has arrived then the US Open was his statement that he was here to stay. Followed by Johnson winning and the other Johnson failing. Then finally the sweetest win of them all, Jason Day closing out the USPGA Championship (not just because I had a cheeky £20 each way bet on the Australian).
Rarely have there been so many heart-warming stories about the competitors to match the excitement of the golf being played. It’s a great era for golf where the new tide of talent has almost washed away the tried and tested names of old. The icons Tiger, Michelson, Furyk, Garcia even Stenson are now playing far smaller roles in the game than expected, especially at the start of the year.
What I find especially interesting is the backroom stories about the players and how they are all linked. Starting with Rory’s tweet on conclusion of the PGA Championship “Two inevitable outcomes have occurred today, Day has won a Major Championship and Jordan Speith has become World No1 – Congratulations Guys!” How generous can you get when you have just fallen to No2 in the world.
Speith whilst talking candidly to the press after the event said that losing the USPGA Championship was the easiest loss of the season because he didn’t feel as if he had even got close. Twenty-four hours earlier the world was watching in awe his back nine of 30 to get within two shots of Day. My emotions were a little mixed, being constantly torn between watching an incredible feat of winning three majors in a year and the Cash Out button on my Paddy Power account.
He was gushing about the quality of Jason Day’s golf andhis losing had already been consoled by his rise to the top of the world rankings. It appears that he is as good at losing as he is at winning. He truly is the darling of the Associated Press at the moment and for a very good reason. Stories abound around the press tent about how grounded, honest and ‘boy next door’ he is. They don’t see him changing either, even with the heavy crown of No1.
He speaks frankly about having a real sense of perspective and it coming from growing up with his number one fan who, happens to be his special needs younger sister. Comparing himself to playing in the last group on a Major Sunday to watching his sister battle life on an hourly basis is a humbling affair, he says that is why he does is easily. This perspective lead on to one of the most startling stories of the year and it has nothing to do with Rory’s ankle. Did Speith in the cold light of day overcommit and did it cost him the Grand Slam?
Are you sitting comfortably? Ok here’s how it happened: Last year whilst Speith’s star was ascending he was invited to take part in the Zach Johnson Fundraising Tournament for sick children in the Cedar Rapids area. The Illinois sporting fraternity turns up and each player is auctioned into a team. At the end of the event Zach writes a cheque to equal every dollar raised, through every auction and pledge. After the 2014 Fundraiser Speith committed to be part of the 2015 event and also the Illinois USPGA John Deere event.
Jump forward a year and Speith’s star is shining brightest of all, he has never seen the Old Course and currently holds the years first two majors. To the criticism of some of the press he decides to play in the John Deere event instead of heading to St Andrews early. What wasn’t known at that stage was he really had committed to the Fundraiser. So on 6 July 2015, three very generous individuals paid a disgraceful amount of money to spend an afternoon/evening with the hottest player on the planet, all for charity.
Possibly at the cost of the Grand Slam and definitely Zack Johnson’s bank balance a commitment is a commitment and a word given is a word meant.
So when Zack Johnson after the Open Championship win, spoke freely about his respect for Jordan Speith, saying ‘his character is as good as his golf’, high praise indeed, now you know the reason.
The 2015 Major champions are all linked in history now, they are champions on and off the course and truly an inspiration for future generations. Roll on the FedEx Championships and the Race to Dubai!