Rory McIlroy’s Surprising Take on Jordan Spieth’s Rise
Rory McIlroy’s candid admission about Jordan Spieth two years ago has certainly come back to haunt him. At that time, Spieth was still making a name for himself on the professional golf circuit, but fast forward, and he is now the world’s top-ranked golfer.
At just 35, McIlroy has established himself as one of golf’s most seasoned players. With four major championships and an impressive 122 weeks as the world’s No. 1, one would think he possesses a keen eye for spotting emerging talent. However, his recent reflections suggest otherwise.
During an interview with Normal Sport, McIlroy was asked about players he faced growing up who he thought would succeed but ultimately did not. He recalled his teenage rival, Philip Francis, with whom he often finished behind in tournaments. Despite Francis’s strong performances as a junior golfer and at UCLA, he never made it to the professional level.
McIlroy mentioned other names, including Jamie Lovemark, a player he faced at the Walker Cup. “You just look at him and think, ‘This guy is like 6’4 and absolutely ripped and swings the club perfectly,'” McIlroy said. “Yet, there are so many intangibles in golf that can derail even the most talented players.”
He also reflected on Oliver Fisher, a former UK and Ireland amateur rival who earned his tour card and won a couple of European Tour events. Despite Fisher’s potential, he only achieved a major best of T32 at The Open in 2013. “If you would have asked anyone 20 years ago, everyone would have said Ollie Fisher was probably going to have a better career than I’ve had,” McIlroy mused.
But perhaps the most striking admission came when McIlroy recalled his first encounter with Spieth in 2013. “I played the first two days with him in San Antonio, and he missed the cut,” McIlroy said. “I thought, ‘What’s the big deal with this kid? He seemed very average.’ Little did I know, just two years later, he would be on the brink of a grand slam.”
Spieth’s ascent was meteoric. In 2015, he secured the title of highest-ranked golfer after winning the Masters and the U.S. Open, along with a second-place finish at the PGA Championship. That same year, he finished T4 at The Open before clinching his third major in 2017.
However, despite his early successes, Spieth has faced challenges in recent years. Although he has finished inside the top five at five majors since his last victory, he struggled in all four majors this year, with a T25 finish at The Open being his best showing. In the 2024 PGA Tour season, he managed only three top-10 finishes, with his latest being a T10 at the Valero Texas Open in July.
McIlroy’s reflections highlight the unpredictability of golf, where even the most promising talents can falter. As McIlroy prepares for future competitions, the lessons learned from Spieth’s journey may serve as a reminder of the sport’s volatility and the importance of perseverance.