Following Jordan Spieth's U.S. Open win on Sunday, all the "ideas and thoughts behind what golf has needed for a decade were answered," as he and Rory McIlroy now have a "real, true rivalry," according to Shane Bacon of FOXSPORTS.com. This marks the "first time since Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson" in the late '70s that golf "has a rivalry." Bacon: "It's Rory and Jordan's game now" (FOXSPORTS.com, 6/22). GRANTLAND's Spike Friedman wrote Spieth is a "likable young superstar who ... is now poised to rival" McIlroy, the game’s "other likable young superstar, for at least the next decade." Spieth's win in the U.S. Open to match his Masters win in April "should have made this weekend at least a small triumph for the sport" (GRANTLAND.com, 6/22). In Houston, Jerome Solomon writes golf has "entered a period of a hopefully sustainable debate that it hasn't had in decades." It is "about time golf recovered from its Tiger hangover," and Spieth and McIlroy are "shining lights at a time when such light won't hurt our eyes" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 6/23). In Austin, Cedric Golden writes, "Perhaps we will now get the rivalry golf sorely needs with the sport's most recognizable face in career free fall" (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 6/23). ESPN’s Bomani Jones said Spieth and McIlroy are “shaping up to be a great golf rivalry," but it will only be the "sort of golf rivalry … that you care about if you care about golf” (“Highly Questionable,” ESPN, 6/22).
MOVING OUT OF THE TIGER ERA? In N.Y., Hank Gola writes golf now has "gone beyond" Woods. It would be "tremendous" if Woods can "find his form again and get into the mix." But that "doesn't need to happen for golf to be great." Gola: "What more can anyone want from the last four majors?" They have been "split between" McIlroy and Spieth, the No. 1 and 2 players in the world, respectively. Spieth said, "It's kind of cool. I think to have two players hold the four majors and Rickie (Fowler) having the fifth (Players Championship). It's awesome that the game is in young hands" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/23). Golf Channel's David Duval said with Woods struggling, Spieth "looks like a natural replacement." Duval: "It's like a changing of the guard almost, and he's coming out with a beautiful game, great time and talent with the media, with the television, with the fans. Everything you want in your … superstars, he has it all” ("Golf Central," Golf Channel, 6/22). SNY’s Marc Malusis said Spieth is “not going to be the next Tiger Woods, but can he be a scintillating golfer over the course of his career? Absolutely.” SNY’s Jonas Schwartz noted Spieth will not have the cultural impact Woods has had during his career, but the N.Y. Daily News’ Bob Raissman said with Spieth’s Grand Slam quest alive going into the British Open, he is "going to be built up to the max by the networks that televise that, by the media that covers golf” (“Daily News Live,” SNY, 6/22). ESPN's Jason Whitlock said Spieth winning the Grand Slam “would not be this mammoth, huge American event, because all it really would be is a sports record.” That contrasts Woods' achievements, as when he “does things in golf, it’s part of American history." Whitlock: "It’s part of a larger narrative that Jordan Spieth will never touch” (“PTI,” ESPN, 6/22).
