The “We” of Team Spieth

In my day, golf was an individual sport. Not so for Jordan Spieth, the world’s number 1 professional golfer. In media interviews, he constantly relates what “we” did not the golf course rather than what “I” did. In doing so, he refers to himself as well as all of the people who assist him regularly in his pursuit winning professional golf championships. That includes his caddie, his swing instructor, family members, etc.

This is Masters week. Just minutes from now, Jordan Spieth will begin his third round today in the Masters championship at Augusta, Georgia, with a one shot lead. The Masters is the first of four “majors” in professional golf every year: Masters (April), U.S. Open (June),  British Open (July), and PGA Championship (August). Jordan Spieth is the defending champion this week at the Masters. He is only twenty-two years.

It doesn’t get any better than this. Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy, the two of three best professional golfers in the world right now, are paired together in the last round today in the Masters. Spieth has a one shot lead on McIlroy. McIlroy, who is only twenty-six years old himself, has won four majors to Spieth’s two majors. Rory is going for history himself this week by trying to achieve a “career grand slam.” That means winning all four majors at least one time in your career.

The difference between Spieth and McIlory, regarding their golf games, is that Spieth excels at putting and McIlroy hits the ball farther and higher. From tee-to-green, McIlroy is the most impressive. But Spieth is the best putter in the game today.

Back to Team Spieth. A common joke in professional golfer has always been that the caddie would talk about he and his pro performing on the golf course as “we.” That is, when the pro hit a good shot, the caddie would say “we” hit a good shot. But when the pro would hit a bad shot, the caddie would speak of “he” hit a bad shot. So, I’m wondering when Jordan Spieth hits a bad shot if his caddie ever says “they” hit a bad shot! Just a thought.