Advice from quarterback Tom Brady helps Jordan Spieth
Jordan Spieth celebrates after winning the Masters golf tournament Sunday, April 12, 2015, in Augusta, Ga. AP
Jordan Spieth revealed he has received advice from legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady as he aims to cement his status as the world’s best golfer after last year’s remarkable breakout season.
The 22-year-old Texan tees off in the World Golf Championship Dell Match Play in Austin on Wednesday as he builds towards the defense of his Masters title at Augusta next month.
Spieth’s life has changed out of recognition in the past 12 months since a victory in the Masters last year which was followed in June by his second Major title, the US Open at Chambers Bay.
A burgeoning friendship with New England Patriots quarterback Brady, who shares the same sponsor, is a reflection of how much Spieth’s world has changed in recent seasons.
Spieth revealed that the 38-year-old four-time Super Bowl champion had regularly offered advice to the young golfer.
“I did some talking with Tom Brady … and I’ve spent on a couple different occasions some time with him and certainly received some advice,” Spieth said.
“He’s obviously in the spotlight being arguably the greatest — one of the greatest quarterback of all times if not the best.
“So it’s pretty cool just to have that opportunity to talk to him. And then for him to want to reach out and help is — kind of just help on how do you adjust to still do what you love to do, love to do it, while still that outside noise is there now.”
Spieth meanwhile spoke admiringly of Australian veteran Adam Scott, the world number six who has been in blistering form recently after scoring back-to-back wins in the Honda Classic and WGC-Cadillac Championship.
“He was my favorite player growing up,” Spieth said of the 35-year-old, revealing that Scott had once signed an autograph for him as a young fan.
“I loved his game. I obviously love his golf swing, who doesn’t? I really enjoyed kind of the way he went about it on the course, too, the way he was walking. He was nice to me, when I was a little kid, I had a Byron Nelson ticket that he signed. He had just kind of a star on his signature, it’s pretty cool. And I liked that when I was younger.”
Spieth is drawn in Group One in the round-robin phase at the Austin Country Club, where his opponents are compatriot Justin Thomas, France’s Victor Dubuisson and Jamie Donaldson of Wales.
The 16 group winners advance to a straight knockout competition.
“There’s no easy group, but I thought I got a difficult draw,” Spieth said.
“Justin is a great player. Unfortunately only one gets to advance.
“Victor obviously with the success at this tournament, and I think with tougher conditions it’s an advantage to him.
“And then I’ve watched Jamie, firsthand watched Jamie in that final match of the Ryder Cup. A tough match play bracket.”
