Jordan Spieth returns to OWGR top 10 after Heritage win

Tuesday, 19 April 2022 00:59 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

REUTERS: Jordan Spieth had not won since Easter Sunday of 2021. His first career missed cut at the Masters raised reasonable questions about whether the three-time major winner was headed for another slump.

But Spieth bounced back from his Masters let-down and won on Easter for the second straight year, this time taking the title at the RBC Heritage, which boosted him 10 spots in the Official World Golf Ranking on Monday from No. 20 to No. 10.

Jordan Spieth poses with the trophy after winning the RBC Heritage in a playoff at Harbour Town Golf Links on 17 April in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina - Getty Images/AFP

It is his first appearance in the top 10 since the end of the 2017-18 PGA Tour season. He started that season ranked second in the world and wound up 10th.

Spieth shot a final-round 66 early Sunday afternoon to set the clubhouse lead at 13-under 271 while much of the field was still playing. Only Patrick Cantlay managed to match Spieth, who returned to the course and defeated Cantlay on the first hole of a playoff.

The missed Masters cut might have driven Spieth at Harbour Town Golf Links.

“I never missed a cut at the Masters before and very rarely had not had a chance to win on the weekend,” Spieth said Sunday. “So I hated it. It was the worst feeling. It was the worst feeling as a golfer that I can remember. It’s my favourite tournament in the world, and I just love contending at that event.”

Spieth went three years and nine months between victories after winning the 2017 Open Championship. His standing in the OWGR plummeted as far as 92nd as he struggled with his game.