Should Jordan Spieth Play The John Deere Or Go To St. Andrews?

Jordan Spieth, taking a much-needed Bahamas vacation this week, plans to commit to the Moline, Illinois event and then take the tournament charter to St. Andrews for the Grand Slam's next leg.

This means the reigning Masters and U.S. Open Champion will arrive to the most complicated course on the planet having played it once, with only the opportunity to play two, maybe three practice rounds. Not to mention the whirlwind nonsense that comes with being an in-demand superstar and nice guy.

For someone who has succeeded at a shockingly young age at times with less than his A-game, Spieth has thrived on impeccable decision-making and support from his support team. With the right preparation and the luck of the draw, he has an incredibly strong chance of winning at St. Andrews. Spieth already has the right attitude about the place, which, as we know from history, is half the battle. The other half is knowing how to play the Old Course. And rolling in Monday afternoon with your excellent caddie and hoping to do the necessary preparation in a very short window is a tall ask for anyone, even Spieth.

Tiger Woods was asked about Jordan Spieth's decision to play the John Deere Classicinstead of the Scottish Open or practice rounds at the Old Course (ala his arrive-early U.S. Open preparation).

The golf cognoscenti and the fine readers of this site are laudingyoung Spieth's loyalty while I think it's the first really poor choice made in the handling of Spieth's career. Most of the greats (and eventual Open Champions) have gone early for various reasons. And most of the time that was without a Grand Slam on the line. The chances of winning at the Old Course greatly improve for Spieth if he and his excellent caddie spend time acclimating to the nuances, wind directions and complex putting surfaces, especially since he's shown an incredible ability to process information better than people twice his age.

Spieth should be most concerned though that his competitors are encouraging the move.Tiger Woods today, asked at the Greenbrier Classic endorsed the move (even though Tiger will arrive the weekend before, and he has two Open wins at the Old Course).

Will Gray reports:

“I think it’s great for him to play, get the playing feels, keep the playing feels going,” Woods said Wednesday at The Greenbrier Classic. “Whether you’re playing here or overseas, doesn’t really matter, (as) long as you have your feels. Feels travel.”

Feels travel!

Your honor, I have nothing further at this time. Oh wait, the witness is still talking...

“I think he’s played enough links-type golf courses. He did all right at Chambers (Bay),” Woods said. “He’s played the British Opens before. St. Andrews will be a little bit different, there will be a lot to learn in a short time. But he’s young, and he can spend the energy playing 18 holes every day and be fine.”