The Golden Child is back in the swing of things

Published 4:39 pm Tuesday, May 31, 2016

With Jordan Spieth’s collapse at the Masters still fresh on everybody’s minds (Does anybody remember who won the thing? Me neither.), what better way to tell the naysayers that he still has it going on than to win on his home turf?

Spieth found the cup on a sweet 34-foot putt on No. 18, clinching the victory at the Dean & DeLuca Invitational at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. He finished 17-under, going 67, 66, 65, 65.

Finally, we have something to separate what happened at Augusta and where he currently stands.

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This is what the 22-year-old needed to remind himself and those around him why he is the No. 2 player in the world. This was the Spieth we watched and drooled over last season as he bounced from tournament to tournament, collecting his winnings and building a reputation as solid as his short game.

Focus is the name of Spieth’s game right now. He is zoned in on returning to his status as The Best. His win on Sunday says two things: I’m still here, and I’m still going to win. Jason Day, Rory McIlroy and crew hopefully get the idea. It won’t be a cakewalk in two weeks when they tee it up at Oakmont for the U.S. Open.

I think the field is set for one of the most interesting summers of golf we’ve had in a while.

The world’s Top 5 is Day, Spieth, McIlroy, Watson and Fowler, each with their own crowds of fans and haters alike and each looking to prove themselves worthy of their ranking on the big stage.

I’m interested to see if Spieth’s focus and apparent return to form will put in right in the mix these next few tournaments, and especially in the remaining Majors throughout the year.

His breakout year will be remembered for the surreal finishes and crazy level of competition. What will this year hold?