The U.S. Open is right around the corner.
Soon enough the greatest golfers in the world will descend upon Shinnecock with each of them dreaming about becoming this year’s national champion. There is something special about the U.S. Open and the challenge that it poses, those who are able to successfully climb the mountain stand in rare company and understand how difficult of a process the whole thing covers.
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One of the people in that exclusive club is the great Jordan Spieth. Thanks to our friends at AT&T, I was able to catch up with Jordan this week to talk about a variety of things, and obviously I had to know his thoughts going into one of the biggest weeks in golf.
“So what specifically am I working on right now… and then as you work your way into contention, it’s nice to know that you’ve been there and done it and you can use that as kind of a an advantage mentally. I’ve been in contention in a number of majors and a lot a lot of times the guys who I’m playing with or contending with have have not had as many experiences. Sometimes it’s similar but regardless having been there before means you know I know a bit of what to expect. Obviously the more recent you can do it the better as well the more comfortable you are.”
“But I would say you know for a U.S. Open it’s a little different than any other tournament because you’re understanding that the course is going to be very very difficult and you’re trying to learn exactly how difficult in the days leading up to the start. And that can be pretty tough because if you throw it out as if you go there with the expectation that okay par is gonna win this tournament… you’re right most of the time, but occasionally it ends up being 8-under and and you maybe hurt yourself a little bit. So the best the best I can try to figure out is okay as I’m playing these practice rounds you know where I’m realistically what what can I shoot. You know what’s that am I trying to shoot if I play a really flawless round of golf and then I try to figure out maybe what the score will be there and the course will change and you gotta adjust a little bit.”
“But going in I’m more on the shoot a lower score than try to shoot even at a U.S. Open so that becomes more like a regular tournament. But I would say it’s it’s almost all similar prep to any other week. The difficulty is that the practice rounds because they’re normally venues that people haven’t played before or very rarely played before they’re they’re really, really long days if you wait to play all your holes Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. So I’m gonna try to play some earlier and then maybe change a little bit of my strategy on shortening the days Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday because that tournament can take a lot out of you mentally and physically and there’s no need to use a lot of that up prior to the tournament starting.”
“And if you’re cramming for the test for U.S. Open you’re in trouble anyways. My game feels great so I’m gonna try to you know take care of a couple minor things that you know are maybe holding me back from my consistency. I’ve been working on that this week I’ll continue to, but again you’re if you don’t have it by Tuesday afternoon of the US Open it’s gonna be hard to find it and and it’ll expose you there. So less is more once you get closer to the event. Try to try to jump on it early and work your way up there.”
This was very cool to hear from Jordan. Golf fans have long been obsessed with his way of thinking, and getting a peek at it ahead of the U.S. Open sure was a treat.
When fans are watching Jordan out at Shinnecock they will see him representing quite nicely with the AT&T “Harbor Winds” Golf Bag. This bag is another smash hit from AT&T that celebrates all of the qualities that encompass Jordan. Maverick McNealy will have one as well.
AT&T’s custom bag design for Jordan Spieth and Maverick McNealy at this year’s U.S. Open is called Harbor Winds. Inspired by the tournament’s iconic Hamptons setting, the design evokes a sailboat aesthetic with a crisp linen base, navy and cognac accents, and subtle nautical details. Refined stitching and premium finishes are meant to capture the seaside elegance of both Southampton and Shinnecock Hills.
Some notable details about the bag:
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A sailboat window detail featuring “126th” on the side pocket to commemorate the 126th U.S. Open
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One side displays it numerically
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The other uses International Maritime Signal Flags
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“Happy Father’s Day” embroidered on the ball pocket for both Jordan and Maverick, as the tournament falls on Father’s Day weekend (and this is Maverick’s first Father’s Day)
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The coordinates for Shinnecock Hills on the rear of the bag near the handle
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“U.S. Open” spelled out in International Maritime Signal Flags on the name panel
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A pocket liner featuring anchors, lobsters, and a lighthouse
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Gold zipper pulls shaped like a boat anchor and lighthouse
The U.S. Open is synonymous with Father’s Day so it is very cool to see that the bag has a nod to that for Jordan and Maverick. Regarding Jordan, it is so strange to think of him as a father and not as the young kid that stormed onto the scene on the PGA Tour. Jordan is indeed a loving parent though and throughout the season he makes a point to stay connected with his family while traveling.
One routine he prioritizes is FaceTiming his family after rounds, whether it’s a quick good morning call after an early tee time or a goodnight check-in if he misses bedtime.
All the best to Jordan next week at Shinnecock.
Read the full article here
