Jordan Spieth names the LIV player he misses most
For the American, Pebble Beach Pro-Am week is a time for a reflection with a number of his close friends no longer able to take part
The PGA Tour-LIV Golf split isn’t just causing issues for the fans who want to see the best of the best going up against each other week in week out. It’s hurting the players, too.
And Jordan Spieth – himself subject to some pretty intense speculation about joining LIV before shutting it down with one pretty epic tweet – knows who he misses most.
“DJ,” he said – referring to Dustin Johnson. “[He was] the first one to go over there and somebody who is not really controversial over here and just worked his butt off, it paid off, got his breakthrough at the US Open, then went and won the Masters.
“Just a Hall of Fame player that didn’t create controversy with any other players and played on a bunch of Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup teams. He represented them really well. He was a friend of mine – he is a friend of mine – I just haven’t seen him.
“But I always really enjoyed playing with him and being around him. He plays fast, he’s easy to play with, and fun to watch.”
Remembering his matches at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am where he and country singer Jake Owen would take on Johnson and hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, Spieth added: “I was always interested in the DJ and Jake banter. It was always really fun for me, because he was more interested in asking DJ questions than me. And DJ would fire back. There was some good banter between them. Certainly I miss that.
“Me and DJ wouldn’t really talk smack to each other because we were both playing in the tournament, but it was designated – and Wayne wasn’t going to do it to me. So it was kind of a Jake and DJ back and forth within our match.”
Speaking of the Crosby Clambake, Spieth reflected on that death-defying cliff-top shot he hit last time out.
“I saved a stroke,” he said. “Does the reward outweigh the risk? Not if you think the risk was dying.
“But I felt I could whack it over the water with a 7-iron and get it up near the green.
“Now, knowing my son a lot better, he was really young at the time, I may not have hit that shot.”
Which LIV Golf player do you miss watching on the PGA Tour? Tweet us and let us know!
George Cooper
A golf fanatic his entire life, George Cooper is NCG's man for all goings-on at the top level of the game, whether it's the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA or LIV Golf. He also looks after NCG's Twitter and Facebook accounts. George is a member of Woburn, but is not friends with Ian Poulter.
