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    •  July 1, 2016

    WATCH: Probably the greatest putting performance of Jordan Spieth’s career

    July 1, 2016
    George Mackenzie
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    George Mackenzie
    Editor
    George Mackenzie
    George Mackenzie
    Editor
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    Jordan Spieth did not deserve to shoot 68, his words not mine. “I wasn’t supposed to shoot 2 under today,” Spieth said. It was an incredible round if you consider he had one birdie attempt (which he missed) in the first 10 holes. Just 17 players of the 61-man field broke par during a tough day at Firestone. William McGirt canned a 60-foot putt on the last to shoot 64 and take the lead, not bad from the World Golf Championship debutant.

    Looking at Jordan’s round in more detail you start to understand why he is so special. He missed 8/14 fairways, 11/18 greens and dropped three shots, before finishing with 4 consecutive birdies.

    “I’m really just searching for something that isn’t far off, that’s real simple,” Spieth said. “It really is only taking place on my scoring clubs, but that’s where you need them. It’s close. It’s almost there. And when it clicks, we’re definitely in business the way the short game is.”

    Jordan took  21 putts, as he clawed his way back from a certain 75. He has never finished with fewer putts, bettering his Tour average by 6.75 shots. The world number two did something we seldom see from Rory McIlroy, play horrible golf and still finish in the top five. To think he hit 40% of greens (5th from last) and still performed is incredible. I wonder how long it will be before Jordan breaks 20 putts per round?

    8 golfers who took 18 putts in one round:

    • Sam Trahan, final round, 1979 IVB Philadelphia Golf Classic.
    • Mike McGee, first round, 1987 Federal Express St. Jude Classic
    • Kenny Knox, first round, 1989 MCI Heritage Classic
    • Andy North, second round, 1990 Anheuser-Busch Golf Classic
    • Jim McGovern, second round, 1992 Federal Express St. Jude Classic
    • Corey Pavin, second round, 2000 Bell Canadian Open
    • Ken Duke, third round, 2009 WGC CA Championship
    • Blake Adams, second round, 2010 Verizon Heritage

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