THE TIGER EFFECT & JORDAN SPIETH

Though last week's Masters cannot be compared, but for a short minute, to other Masters tournaments that went down to the wire, it was pretty exciting to see Jordan Spieth tie Tiger's record, set other records and do it with such class.

Jordan Spieth teeing off at the
Par-3 Tournament in 2014 on
Hole #1. In 2014, Jordan
tied for second. 

As far as thrill, suspense and excitement, there have been others that surpass this one, Tiger in 2005, the year of his chip-in at #16; Phil's first in 2004, Mark O'Meara in 1998 where he never had the lead by himself until he made the putt on #18 (he birdied #17 to tie and then #18 to win), Angel Cabrera in 2006 when he won in a playoff, and the best of all, at least in my book, Jack Nicklaus in 1986 who charged with a 33 on the last 10 holes (birdied #9 and shot 30 on the back). That year, the men he beat in the top 8 ended up with over 20 accumulated majors (Tom Watson 8, Greg Norman 2, Tom Kite 1, Seve Ballesteros 5,  Nick Price 3, Payne Stewart 3, Bob Tway 1, plus Ben Crenshaw  and Bernard Langer, both with 2 and both ended up in 16th place).

Unlike last year, during Sunday's round, Jordan bounced back from his bogeys right away. The difference was a win instead of a tie for second as in 2014. Now Jordan has tied Tiger for the tournament record at 18 under par. But there are some differences:

Jordan dominated the course with finesse, putting and great course management while Tiger overpowered it. Tiger not only played a much shorter course in 1997 (6,925 yards in 1997 versus 7,435 yards in 2015 for a total of 510 yards difference), but he is much longer off the tee than Jordan (Tiger was as long or longer in 1997 than now). In 1997, the course was so short for Tiger that he hit short irons to #13 and #15 all four days, a couple of times hitting the green with a sand-wedge for the second shot! So, without taking away credit from Tiger, who became the best there was in the world for 15 or so years, I feel that Jordan's 18 under is a bit better than Tiger's.

Everyone says that Jordan is a great young man, and so was Tiger, though they both have a different upbringing, family relationship and demeanor. Tiger, has always always shown his fire in different ways, sometimes with not such a good vocabulary, to quote a writer in an article,, "Jordan's vocabulary is as G rated as Tiger's isn't". When Jordan misses a shot, he says (in jack Nicklaus' style), "Oh Jordan!", Tiger is much more expressive. Tiger's first commercials were all about Tiger, Jordan's are about people. Tiger started his professional career with 50 million in the bank and not a worry; Jordan started with $20,000 in borrowed money and begging sponsors for a little help. Tiger never went back to most of the tournaments that helped him get his card, Jordan comes back every year. In short, Tiger was all about Tiger, Jordan is all about family and friends, and golf is secondary. It's his job and he wants to do it well and be the best. But family is always first. Tiger image is about money and fame, Jordan is more about history and appreciation.

I'll be surprised if Jordan follows Tiger's philosophy about (not) signing autographs, and being so "secretive". I believe Jordan will be more like Arnold Palmer, Jack and Phil, and Ben Crensahw, one of his mentors from Texas. Kind of neat, just as a Texas champion stepped off the spotlight, another one came up.

Jordan had committed to play the RBC Heritage Classic this week at Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, and even though he won last week, and even though winning a major takes so much energy from you, mentally and physically, he is there, as promised, and not just "showing up", he is in contention as we speak with a second round of 62.

Jordan does not have the length of Tiger or Rory, but he has enough "sneaky long" tee shots to be one of the best ever, just like another Texan years ago: Ben Hogan. Good luck Jordan, we wish you the best and we believe you will be a great role model.