Rory McIlroy’s first impression of Jordan Spieth’s golf game could NOT have been more wrong

Rory McIlroy, a golf superstar in his own right, has proven his skills on the course time and again, but his ability to judge young talent may not be as sharp as his swing. In a conversation with Kyle Porter for the “Normal Sport” newsletter, McIlroy reflected on his initial misjudgment of fellow pro Jordan Spieth.

During the 2013 Valero Texas Open, McIlroy played alongside Spieth, who at the time was a relatively unknown player. After watching Spieth struggle and miss the cut, McIlroy admits he thought little of his future rival’s potential, dismissing his performance as “very average.” Little did he know, Spieth would go on to become one of the biggest names in the sport, winning multiple majors and almost achieving a grand slam just two years later.

McIlroy’s misjudgment of Spieth is particularly amusing given Spieth’s early accolades, including being the top-ranked amateur and a two-time U.S. Junior Amateur champion alongside Tiger Woods.

Despite McIlroy’s initial doubts, both he and Spieth have carved out stellar careers, with a combined 39 PGA Tour titles and seven major championships between them. Reflecting on the incident now, it’s clear that Spieth has proven McIlroy’s early impression wrong in spectacular fashion, as both golfers continue to solidify their places among the sport’s greats.