The ‘tragedy' ruining Jordan Spieth's career — Gary Player doesn't hold back
And that's why the golf legend said it's a 'tragedy' that Spieth has fallen off due to what he believes is poor coaching.
'Jordan Spieth, I think, is the best golfer in the world, but in my opinion, he was taught the wrong thing. He was taught the wrong thing. And he just went downhill,' Player said in a video 'The Golf Supply' YouTube channel posted this week. 'If you had a man like Ben Hogan teaching Jordan Spieth, he would be the best in the world. He's such a competitor, such a wonderful man. A wonderful guy for golf, the best short game, oh man, best course management, but, man, he just can't hit the ball, ya know? That is a tragedy.'
Player, 89, tackled Spieth's career while teaching a player and discussing the 'tremendous lack of knowledge' in the sport.
He bemoaned the coaching that American players are receiving, specifically the bowed wrist technique, saying once players do that, 'you're gone' and 'your golf career is limited.'
4 Gary Player didn't hold back on Jordan Spieth.
@thegolfsupply/YouTube
4 Jordan Spieth during the St. Jude Championship on Aug. 7, 2025.
AP
'I would say in America today, the golf pros that are teaching know less about golf,' he said.
Player, who won nine majors, first mentioned Dustin Johnson, asking: 'When's the last you heard of Dustin Johnson?'
He later told the student how a golfer has to get his hands under the club and then commented on Spieth and Rickie Fowler.
Player did, though, have some hope for Spieth, saying he saw his swing recently.
4 Jordan Spieth has not won an event in 2025.
Getty Images
'So, he might do a lot better this week,' Player said, 'I'm hoping he will.'
Spieth, 31, ranked as the top player in the world in 2015 and has won three majors in his career, but last did so in 2017, when he triumphed at The Open Championship.
He currently ranks 52nd in the sport and has not won an event since the 2022 RBC Heritage.
Spieth has finished fourth twice this year, but also tallied 40th, 31st and 38th results in his last three events, respectively.
4 Gary Player in 2022.
Getty Images
He withdrew from an event due to injury for the first time in his career earlier this year.
Spieth is not competing in this week's BMW Championship since he finished outside the top 50 of the FedEx Cup standings.
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