Jordan Spieth’s Masters victory sets up a riveting rivalry with Rory McIlroy

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/apr/13/jordan-spieth-masters-augusta-victory-rory-mciilroy

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When Rory McIlroy offered hope for a strong rivalry at the summit of golf recently, it was Adam Scott and Rickie Fowler who were mentioned as the most legitimate challengers to his position at the top of the world rankings. Jordan Spieth was not part of the discussion.

How a sporting scene can change. On Monday morning, Spieth was confirmed as No2 in the world. At 21 he is a major champion and a player with a record in four starts of first, second, second and first. In cold, hard cash that run has earned him more than $4m inside a month, and for the first time since the system was introduced in 1986 the top two ranked players are 25 and under. If McIlroy was looking for a scrap, he appears to have found one from the latest owner of the Green Jacket.

“Rory has got four majors and numerous wins,” Spieth said. “That’s something I can still only dream about. I’ll never hit it as far as he does and I have to make up for that somewhere else. He’s an unbelievably nice guy. He carries that world No1 with class.

“I don’t know, as far as a rivalry right now. I look forward to getting in the heat of the moment with him a couple times in the near future and see if we can battle it out and test our games.”

He added: “The ultimate goal is to try to become the No1 player in the world. I don’t think I am with this [Masters win]. I think that I’m still behind, and so I’m still chasing that goal. It’s going to be very difficult but to be a large step closer is huge.

“I don’t know what necessarily to expect. I don’t expect to change the way I’m playing. I will just try to get enough rest and enjoy this season, this whole year now with being Masters champion.”

So many unknowns from a player who was so assured over four Augusta National days. Way beyond his years, in fact.

Spieth’s success, added to the prospect of duels with McIlroy, is unquestionably of benefit to the game. Amid a struggle to attract young players, or retain the interest of the same demographic, this pair can make a difference. Albeit different characters, they are both instantly appealing and vibrant.

Spieth’s story is an unorthodox one. He dropped out of college two years ago with a view to pursuing his golfing dreams full-time. “It all happened quickly. Sometimes it feels like a long time ago and sometimes it feels like yesterday,” he said.

This is probably key to the champion’s success – he backed himself to succeed. Now he is as driven as ever by a ferocious will to win; the platform has simply changed. Instead of playing as a senior at the University of Texas, he is the second youngest Masters champion in history after Tiger Woods.

For as newsworthy as the return of Woods to Augusta was, the blunt reality is he finished in a tie for 17th. There were only glimpses, rather than offerings of strong evidence, that the 39-year-old can be consistently competitive at the top level again. No such doubts linger over Spieth. He has also separated himself from the likes of Fowler and Patrick Reed.

Thankfully Spieth is level-headed enough not to drown in a sea of compliments, some of which came from McIlroy following the Texan’s four-shot triumph on Sunday.

“I am very happy for him, he’s been playing great,” McIlroy said. “For a 21-year old? He is far more mature than me than when I was 21.

“What he has done is very impressive. I am fortunate enough to have felt something similar when I won [the US Open] at Congressional so it’s a special time for him, walking up the last hole, enjoying the occasion and letting it all sink in. It’s not a feeling many people get, especially in winning your first major championship.”

Woods, too, offered praise. “I think it’s fantastic. Jordan is doing all the things he needs to do,” Woods said. “I think the Australian Open [last December] probably spurred him a lot. To win down there by a big margin but do it on the last round shooting a 63.

“Then he came to the World Challenge and really played well there again. So when he gets it going, he’s one of those guys that like Rory, can go off and make bunches of birdies in a row. In a nine-hole stretch, he may make six or seven.”

Woods could not claim the Masters finish needed to secure a place in the WGC-Cadillac Match Play Championship in San Francisco later this month. Spieth and McIlroy will be there; which for now is the most important thing. Touch paper might just have been lit on a long-term, illuminating battle.

Record breaker

Jordan Spieth broke or equalled numerous records on his way to victory in the 79th Masters:

Lowest 36-hole total – 64, 66 (130). Previous best: Raymond Floyd – 65, 66 (131) (1976)

Lowest 54-hole total – 64, 66, 70 (200). Previous best: Raymond Floyd – 201; (1976); Tiger Woods (1997)

Joint lowest 72-hole total – 64, 66, 70, 70 (270). Tied with Tiger Woods – 70, 66, 65, 69 (1997)

Largest 36-hole lead in the Masters – five shots. Tied with Herman Keiser (1946), Jack Nicklaus (1975), Ray Floyd (1976)

Most birdies in the Masters – 28. Previous best: Phil Mickelson – 25 (2001)

First player to reach 19 under par – 15th hole, final round

First player to lead outright after each round since Raymond Floyd (1976)