The golfing world is abuzz with speculation, following three-time major champion Jordan Spieth’s top 10 finish at the recent Cognizant Classic. The 31-year-old’s decision to participate in the competition, despite recovering from wrist surgery, caught many by surprise. This marked Spieth’s inaugural appearance at the event, stirring concerns that the challenging PGA National might not be an ideal fit for his inconsistent performance post-surgery.
Despite not being a significant contender on Sunday, Spieth’s performance was far from disappointing. Although he had a steep hill to climb to make a real bid for the title, his overall play at the Cognizant Classic could be seen as a positive stride towards recovery.
Spieth’s exclusion from the Arnold Palmer Invitational this week has been a hot topic of discussion. In response, the golfer humorously remarked that he should have showcased better performance while still injured to secure an invitation.
However, there’s a silver lining for Spieth. His fourth-place finish at the WM Phoenix Open and the string of top 10s he’s achieved at the onset of 2025 match up well with Scottie Scheffler’s record. This, coupled with an endorsement from Michael Kim, who finished sixth at the PGA National, signals hopeful prospects for Spieth.
Kim confidently predicts that both Spieth and Daniel Berger will be selected for Keegan Bradley’s US Ryder Cup team at Bethpage later this year based on their recent performances. Kim took to social media to express his optimism, lauding his mental composure and performance at the Cognizant Classic despite some execution errors.
Spieth’s Ryder Cup history speaks volumes about his potential contribution to the team. Since his debut in 2014, his presence has been a constant. He has forged successful partnerships with Patrick Reed and Justin Thomas, often outscoring most of his American teammates. Back in 2014 at Gleneagles, only Reed secured more points than Spieth, and a similar scenario unfolded in 2018, with Thomas being the only one to surpass him.
Despite a less stellar performance in the 2021 and 2023 events, Spieth’s impressive chip shot at Whistling Straits stands as a testament to his ability to create magical moments on the course.
Although he’s yet to regain the form that won him three majors, Spieth’s recent performances suggest that the matchplay format could indeed reignite his prowess. The format allows him to swiftly recover from errors, while his flashes of brilliance can change the game’s dynamics, making him a potential asset for the US Ryder Cup team in 2025.