Kevin Kisner has explained why he believes Jordan Spieth will be in contention to win The Masters this week should the 2015 champion’s putting not let him down at Augusta National.
Spieth is one of the players who always seem to have a chance of triumphing at the first major of the year. Of course, The Masters played a pivotal role in establishing the Texan as a superstar of the game.
Spieth did not finish outside the top two in his first three starts at Augusta National. Obviously, the high point came when he ran away with a victory 11 years ago.
Kevin Kisner assesses Jordan Spieth’s chances of winning The Masters for a second time
The last few years have not been as kind to the 32-year-old. Spieth’s current wait for a win on the PGA Tour is rapidly approaching four years.
Meanwhile, you would have to go back to the 2023 Masters for the last time Spieth finished inside the top 10 in a major.
Nevertheless, it seems that Kevin Kisner has high hopes for Spieth in the coming days. Speaking on the Fore Play Podcast, Kisner suggested why he would not be surprised to see him in the mix.
“How about a little Jordan Spieth Green Jacket revival? If you watch his game, he’s been in that 15-25 area all year. He’s striping it. He’s not making any putts, but he feels so comfortable on the Augusta greens that if that little flatstick gets hot, and he’s cocky enough, I just think he could be around,” he said.
“A stat for you, Jordan Spieth in 2026 is playing the par threes under par. And when you go look at Augusta National, the par threes are a pivotal, pivotal moment in the round every time. You’ve got four playing 250 yards, then you go to six where guys make two to five, then you go to 12 where guys make two to five, and then 16 if you’re striping your irons, you can birdie every pin. So to play the par threes under par for the season is incredible. Insanity.”
Kisner predicts what could happen to Rory McIlroy at Augusta National
Spieth is one of those players who provides entertainment regardless of what end of the leaderboard he finds himself on.
Similarly, there will be so much interest in how Rory McIlroy performs. The Northern Irishman is defending the title that he won 12 months ago to complete the Career Grand Slam.
It will be interesting to see how McIlroy tackles the event. Not having that pressure of finally winning The Masters for the first time could easily be a blessing or a curse.
Kisner believes that no-one will be able to keep up with McIlroy if he gets off to a good start.
“If Rory’s on his game, the tournament’s over. Now he has won his Green Jacket, if he comes out firing like he was, he won’t have those silly wedge shots to dump in the creek and the bunker coming down the stretch on Sunday just because he’s done it. So he’s off and running at Augusta, you can go ahead and turn the TV off,” he said.
It would certainly be good for the game if either Spieth or McIlroy add a second Masters title to their résumé this week.
