Scottsdale, Ariz. – In his second event after returning from a long absence, Jordan Spieth looked like his old self during the WM Phoenix Open on Thursday.
The three major winners had a 3-under 68 card on the first day. he I birdie on par 4 hole 6 From the out of the well, his new putter went well there, from the fairway that included navigating through the trees and draining a 56-foot putt.
Another highlight of him was early in his round. Starting on hole 10, Spieth pasted an approach up to 6 feet on the famous 16th hole. However, he missed a birdie try.
Spieth hit only six fairways, but won four birdies in total.
“It felt good. It felt like last Sunday. I didn't trust what I was doing,” explained Spieth.
“My wrist hurts in the first round of last week. I left all the work I did just to manipulate what I could. Then I said, you have to get through it. So, I was back to the status quo on Sunday for everything I was doing and it paid off there.”
Spieth then revealed that he stuffed his wrists in his first round at Spyglass Hill last week, and did so from the first hole bunker. He added that it was “locked,” but decided to play through it.
“Fortunately, this has been a really good test in the last few weeks and my expectations are low,” Spieth said.
“I expect to have a good swing, but when it comes to the outcome, it's hard to believe that we should expect a lot in six months. That being said, I'm not going to be where I am today. I know I've been, and I know I can do better than today. If you're going to post some scores than today, you never know, I'm back in the mix And it's pretty fun and hopefully more consistent.”
When he left the golf course, Spieth two strokes of Justin Thomas and Nikolai Hodgegard, each posting a 5-under 66 to lead the morning waves. Spieth's solid results at this point are similar to playing with the money in the house. But as he hinted, if he continues to bring together a solid standard round, those who know where he stands will come on Sunday. After all, he played well for TPC Scottsdale previously, finishing in the top six or more in three of his final four starts. The former Texas Longhorn scored four rounds last year in the '60s, taking place in sixth, one of the best results of the season.
Jack Mirco is a golf staff writer playing SB Nation. Follow him with x @jack_milko.
