Jordan Spieth got his 2018-19 season underway with a tee shot on the 10th hole at TPC Summerlin in the first round of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.
The 25-year old star appears to have tweaked his swing a bit, too, going with a less mechanical takeaway, and shorter backswing, which looks much smoother.
Spieth said his goal this season is to hit more fairways, and finish top-15 in strokes gained off the tee.
“I knew I had more work to continue on the short game, but needed to address a bit of the long game as well,” said Spieth.
“To be honest, my rookie season I think was my best statistical driving season. I think I ranked in the top 15 in strokes gained off the tee. I hit it five yards further now, yet have not sniffed a top 15 in that category. That’s a goal.
“I’m breaking in a new driver (Titleist T5) this week and I like it a lot. Certainly the distance stats being at elevation and some dry air will be nice and they’ll get pumped up.
“But that’s something that I’m certainly focused on, is trying to hit more fairways. If I can get to 65% in my fairways I move up to the top 15 in strokes gained, and the rest of my game will come around to play from those positions and have a chance to win golf tournaments.”
Check out the new and improved swing. (Nice club twirl too.)
Update: For the day, Spieth posted a 5-under 66 (T4), good for T4 – three shots back of first-day leader Peter Uihlein (63). He hit 8 of 14 fairways for a 57.1% clip, and averaged 309.6 yards off the tee.
