UNIVERSITY PLACE – With the tracks that carry trains by Chambers Bay to his back, Jordan Spieth sized up a six-foot birdie putt.
His golf ball rolled straight as a rail into the 17th hole. The crowd blared as the 21-year-old calmly tipped his cap.
Spieth is no longer the little engine that could. He’s the four-locomotive train that has arrived.
After shooting a 3-under-par 67 Friday, Spieth heads into the weekend tied with Patrick Reed for the U.S. Open lead at 5-under.
The golf world is wondering who will claim the throne vacated by Tiger Woods, who has played more like a pauper than a prince this season.
That crown might just fit Spieth.
When he won The Masters in April, Spieth became the youngest champion of that tournament since Woods. His score of 18-under tied the tournament record held by, well, Woods.
Spieth is only the second two-time winner of the U.S. Junior Amateur – can you guess the other? And like Woods in his prime, Spieth carries himself with poise beyond his years.
After his first major stumble Friday, a double-bogey on the diabolical par-4 18th hole, Spieth bounced back with a birdie on Hole No. 1, his tenth hole of the round.
He was fuming after the double bogey on 18, which he called a “stupid hole.” But instead of being robotic, Spieth has the power to rein in his emotions when they start to gallop.
“I was really frustrated walking off the tee box,” he said. “(Caddie Michael Greller) did a great job of telling me ‘sit back, you’re still in this tournament.’ The second something gets to you, you’re in trouble in the U.S. Open.”
After bogeying No. 7 and missing a good birdie chance at No. 8, Spieth finished his round by making an 8-foot birdie putt at the ninth hole.
That came after he chastised photographers who were taking photos of Jason Day, who collapsed as the group walked into the green. To make the putt, he went from boiling to ice water in a split second.
Spieth knows he’ll need that nerve to win his second major, which would solidify him among golf royalty more than his No. 2 world ranking or top rank in the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup standings.
He’ll take lessons learned in Augusta, where he held a sizable lead throughout the final round of The Masters.
“I’ll draw some on Augusta,” Speith said. “But at the same time, my patience level has to be even that much higher … I have to be a little more methodical.”
Golf needs its next generation of superstars. Woods has lost his way. At 45, Phil Mickelson is has a few more good years, at most.
Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler are stars with magnetic personalities. Both have had moments of greatness this season, but also hit ruts. Fowler shot 14-over at the U.S. Open and McIlroy entered the tournament missing two straight cuts.
Meanwhile, Speith keeps chugging along. Methodical, steady and powerful, like a train gaining momentum, Spieth’s rise appears hard to stop.
