Spieth ends four-year drought in Valero Texas Open as Masters looms
Jordan Spieth reacts to sinking his birdie putt on the 17th green during the final round of Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio Oaks Course on April 04, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
JORDAN SPIETH’S odds of claiming his second green jacket shortened considerably last night when he ended a 1,351-day drought with a “monumental” two-shot victory in the Valero Texas Open.
The three-time Major winner had not won a tournament since he captured The Open at Royal Birkdale in 2017.
But after nearly four years in the doldrums, during which he fell from second to 92nd in the world, the 27-year-old from Dallas matched veteran Charley Hoffman and shot a six-under 66 to win at TPC San Antonio on 18-under par.
“It’s been a long road,” said Spieth, who with Bryson DeChambeau is joint second favourite behind Dustin Johnson for the Masters.
“There were a lot of time I wasn’t sure if I’d be here with you talking about this right now,” he told Golf Channel. “I never really doubted in myself I’d get back to where I wanted to go. But when you lose confidence it’s sometimes hard to see the positives going forward.
“I just kept my head down. I owe a lot of people thanks. It’s a team effort and I have been blessed to work with the best in the world. So this is a monumental win for one and one I’ve certainly thought about for a long time.”
Spieth began the final round tied for the lead on 12-under with England’s Matthew Wallace but turned for home two shots ahead of Texas Open specialist Hoffman after going to the turn in three-under 33.
He missed just one green on the front nine and picked up birdies at the second, third, sixth and seventh with his only bogey coming after a wild drive into the scrub at the fourth.
With Wallace stuck in neutral, Spieth knocked in an eight-footer for par at the 11th, then drained a 14 footer for birdie at the 12th to stretch his lead to three strokes on 16-under.
Hoffman reduced the lead to a single stroke when he chipped in for a birdie two at the 13th, matched Spieth’s birdie at the 14th and made a 20 footer from the fringe for another two at the 16th.
But he faltered at the driveable 17th, finding sand as Spieth made a pitch and putt birdie to take a two-shot lead to the par-five 18th where a two-putt par was enough to seal his 12th PGA Tour win.
Graeme McDowell closed with a 74 to finish tied 54th on level par while European Ryder Cup skipper Pádraig Harrington, playing his ninth events in 11 weeks, was three shots further back in tied 69th after a 73.
