Jordan Spieth has typically made the Sony Open his second tournament of the new year.
This go-round it’s his first. Not getting into the Tournament of Champions was part of Spieth’s penance for a lack-luster 2018.
In the past, Jordy’s been a regular at the Tournament of Champions over on Maui. He won there in 2016. This year he didn’t qualify and no doubt that didn’t sit well with him at all.
Spieth’s now a married guy and he won’t be the only big name teeing it up at Waialae when play begins on Thursday. His play, Justin Thomas, finished third last week but it was evident he was still knocking the rust off his game. J.T.’s at Waialae where he won in 2017. Bryson DeChambeau is staying on the islands for extended time in the sun, so are Gary Woodland, Marc Leishman, Charles Howell III and Patton Kizzire.
Waialae is known for low scoring. Just ask J.T. He shot 27-under par on his way to that 2017 victory. Kizzire shot 17-under to win last year.
Although it sits on the southeastern coast of Oahu, the flat greens lend themselves to more putts for birdie and when you give PGA Tour players flat greens — look out.
Which brings the golf world’s eyes back to Spieth. His woes began when his putter went sour on him and he’s yet to find the magic that helped him win two majors and three other tour events in 2015. That putting performance led him to the No. 1 ranking in the world. Since then and given his no wins in 2018, he’s fallen all the way down to 17th in the world rankings.
Can Spieth find his putting magic in 2019?
The search begins this week.
