What happened to Jordan Spieth? New theory behind devastating decline

Archie Starkey 15 Aug 2025

Nine-time Major champion, Gary Player, believes Jordan Spieth has all the qualities needed to be a dominant force in the game once more.

But the South African Hall of Famer has suggested the American has had some dodgy coaching that has caused his downfall.

The three-time Major champion spent many weeks at world number one but has struggled of late, not adding to his 13 PGA Tour titles since 2022.

Player, who claimed 24 PGA Tour wins, claims his loss of form is not due to skill or desire, but instead poor coaching that has hampered his swing.

Spieth, who is now 32, had a period of utter dominance after his rise in 2015, where he claimed multiple Major wins and held the top ranking.

His dominance was similar to that of Scottie Scheffler today, but any signs of significant consistency have now long eluded him.

His last Major win came in 2017, and his 2025 Major record of T14, CUT, T23, T40 is somewhat different to his Win, Win, T4, 2 record a decade ago.

Gary Player: ‘Jordan Spieth is the best golfer in the world’

The 89-year-old, who is renowned for often being outspoken with his criticism, was speaking on The Golf Supply YouTube channel.

During his cameo, Player did not hold back when ripping into the state of modern golf instruction.

He claimed Jordan Spieth and out-of-form Rickie Fowler have struggled due to the current state of the game.

Player announced: “Jordan Spieth, in my opinion, is the best golfer in the world.

“But he was taught the wrong thing and went downhill. If someone like Ben Hogan had worked with him, he’d still be number one.

“He’s a great competitor and a wonderful person, but he just can’t hit the ball the way he should. That’s a tragedy.”

He added: “There’s a tremendous lack of knowledge in the game today.

“Coaches have all the technology, but they’re teaching moves that destroy a swing – like a bowed wrist at the top. Once you do that, you’re gone.”

Despite threats of form, Spieth has again struggled in 2025 with no event wins and sitting outside the world’s top 50.

However, when speaking after the recent Wyndham Championship, he was upbeat that his fortunes may turn around in 2026.

Spieth claimed: “Next year’s going to be a really good year for me, I can feel it.

“One good offseason should get me back to my best. That’s my goal.”

After emerging onto the scene, Spieth found an incredible level of dominance that was among the most ruthless since Tiger Woods.

At just 21, he had multiple Major wins and a Green Jacket; he nearly pulled off an unprecedented sweep of winning all four in 2015.

He was hitting the ball long with precision, demonstrating elite iron play and lighting up the greens with several event-defining putts.

Spieth’s creativity around the greens and all-around ability made him, at one point, simply unbeatable.

Jordan Spieth is currently teeing it up at the second PGA Tour FedEx Cup Playoff event – The BMW Championship.