He still has a long way to go but Jordan Spieth is making gradual inroads into Tiger Woods’ imposing career record. His victory this past weekend in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am was his ninth in 100 starts on the US PGA Tour, and he became the first player since Woods to have that many victories before turning 24 (Woods won 15 times).
It was the seventh straight win on the Tour by a player in their twenties but not enough to improve the 23-year-old Texan’s world ranking – he remains at sixth. Current world number one Jason Day maintains a tenuous hold on top spot after recovering from a third-round 75 to close with a 67 and tie for fifth with Jon Rahm, winner of the Torrey Pines two weeks before. If Dustin Johnson, who finished third, wins this week’s Genesis Open in California he will climb to number one for the first time in his career.
The pro am part of the Pebble Beach tournament was won by Ken Duke and TV presenter Carson Daly.
Meanwhile, Tiger has withdrawn from the Genesis and The Honda Classic in Florida. On his website he posted the message, "My doctors have advised me not to play the next two weeks, to continue my treatment and to let my back calm down. This is not what I was hoping for or expecting. I am extremely disappointed to miss the Genesis Open, a tournament that benefits my foundation, and The Honda Classic, my hometown event. I would like to thank Genesis for their support, and I know we will have an outstanding week."
