Spieth: “I’m Going to Try Something Stupid”

When you’re feeling it, you’re feeling it. Jordan Spieth is most definitely feeling it.

Fresh off of his maiden Open Championship win where he put together one of the most epic finishing stretches in major history — which was proceeded by his ridiculous bunker hole out playoff victory at the Travelers — Spieth was at it again on Thursday.

During the first round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, the 24-year-old Texan found himself in a precarious situation in the trees on the par-4 eighth hole at Firestone C.C. After assessing the situation, it appeared there was only one option: hoist a wedge through a tiny window in the trees and cut back toward the green. Sounds simple right? Not exactly. 

“I’m going to try something stupid right here,” Spieth said to his caddie Michael Greller after making his decision. “I told him to put the bag over there and just watch.”

What happened next was just another incredible shot to add to his growing highlight reel. Spieth flighted a wedge through the narrow gap perfectly cutting it back onto the green and stopping it 20 feet from the pin.

“I was shocked I pulled it off,” Spieth said afterwards. “I just smiled. He [Greller] goes, ‘That was cool.’ I thought as long as I got the height, I could pull off the shot.”

The three-time major winner also drained a couple long putts, one of which was a casual 50-footer on the sixth hole on his way to a first-round 3-under par 67.

“The one on 6 was surprising. I thought I hit it too hard when I hit it. I was like, ‘Oh, boy. Sit down,’” Spieth said. “But on the hole before, it’s actually a pretty makeable putt there. You’re outside right a couple feet, you assume that if you start anywhere within a cup with decent speed, it’s going to get close or scare it.”

Current World No.1 Dustin Johnson posted 2-under par 68, but also belted the longest drive on the PGA Tour in four years. On the 667-yard par-5 16th hole, DJ launched one 439 yards! 

Belgium’s Thomas Pieters leads the way by one over Russell Knox after firing a 5-under 65, while a host of big-name players are tied in third at three under par. Rory McIlroy finds himself amongst that 3-under par group thanks to a great day with the driver. McIlroy averaged 355 (!) yards off the tee on Thursday. Bubba Watson and Jon Rahm are also at 3-under heading into Friday.

Here’ a look at the highlights from the first round of the WGC-Bridgestone Championship. 

[Golf Channel]

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