Charles Schwab Challenge: Spieth Feeling ‘Frustrated’ After Opening 69

Jordan Spieth was left feeling frustrated after an opening-round 69 on Thursday at the 2022 Charles Schwab Challenge. 

After winning the RBC Heritage last month and nearly following it up with another win at the AT&T Byron Nelson, these last two starts have been rather frustrating for Jordan Spieth.

The first of which came last week at Southern Hills during the 2022 PGA Championship where Jordan Spieth would have been dreaming of completing the career ‘Grand Slam’, something that very few have accomplished during their career.

Rounds of 72,69,74,69 meant that Spieth was never really in contention last week at a place that many had envisioned being perfect for his game. He finished a relatively disappointing 34th, at least by his incredibly high standards. Still, it was better than his time at Augusta National this year where he missed the cut altogether during the year’s first Major.

Jordan Spieth made the trip home this week for the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial, a place he has had great success at throughout his career, including when winning here back in 2016. He nearly won again at Colonial last year but was just edged out by eventual winner Jason Kokrak on Sunday.

Fast-forward to 2022 and Jordan was left feeling ‘frustrated’ after his opening round.

“I was really frustrated for some reason. I didn’t play very smart early in the round, and then I kind of got away with it through five holes, and after being 2-under through five on this course, you get through the Horrible Horseshoe, and you’re at 2-under, you’re typically thinking four or more,” he said following his round.

Spieth made it through Colonial’s most difficult stretch without dropping any shots, this included on the challenging par 3, 4th hole, where he had found himself out of position after his tee shot to begin the stretch of three holes known as the ‘horrible horseshoe’.

The four-time Major winner produced a superb shot out of the rough though that would find the bottom of the cup. It was a sensational moment but the type that we have all become so accustomed to from a player that regularly produces moments of pure genius.

After opening with two birdies he would go on to drop three additional shots throughout the course of his round.

“A little bit upset. My three bogeys were all just poor bogeys. Otherwise I’m up there right near the top of the leaderboard,” he added.

Jordan Spieth was unhappy with his driving during the first round but encouraged by how he was seeing the greens.

When asked about the specific aspects that had left him feeling frustrated Spieth responded:

"“I didn’t hit my driver very — I didn’t drive it very well. I missed some putts, but for the most part they were all just misreads, so I think I can get on top of that. It was tough with the wind blowing a lot of times opposite which way it’s going to break, and the wind plays a significant role when the greens are this fast.I would love to just putt it the way I’ve been putting it. I feel like more and more will go in. But I’ve just got to hit more greens in regulation, and that starts back on putting the ball in the fairway.”"

Jordan sits just three shots adrift of the lead going into Friday and he feels like getting on a roll during the second round will be critical with the wind expected to pick up over the weekend.

He will be hoping to find himself in contention once again at a place that he has so often contended, after having quite remarkably recorded seven top 10 finishes or better in his last nine appearances at Colonial Country Club.

Spieth may be feeling frustrated recently but there is no denying that he is moving in the right direction and will be winning more big events again soon enough.