Legendary golfer Gary Player recently voiced a harsh assessment of Jordan Spieth’s career, describing it as a “tragedy” due to Spieth’s significant decline after early success. Player made these remarks in August 2025 during an appearance on The Golf Supply YouTube channel, emphasizing the sharp fall from prominence of the former top-ranked player.
Jordan Spieth, known for his three major championship wins and eleven PGA Tour victories from 2013 to 2017, was once regarded as one of golf’s brightest stars. However, after those peak years, Spieth’s form has slipped considerably, with only two wins since 2017 and a prolonged period without victories, further impacted by wrist surgery the previous year.
The Rise and Struggles of Jordan Spieth
Spieth’s early career was marked by tremendous success, including clinching three major titles and coming close to completing the career grand slam. Between 2013 and 2017, he accumulated 11 PGA Tour wins, establishing himself as a dominant force. But in recent years, Spieth has struggled to maintain that level of play.
Since 2017, his victories have been sparse, with only the 2021 Valero Texas Open and the 2022 RBC Heritage on his record. The 2025 season was particularly tough; following major wrist surgery, Spieth managed just four top-10 finishes over 19 tournament starts, a clear indication of his ongoing difficulties.
Gary Player’s Perspective on Spieth’s Decline
Gary Player, who holds nine major championships himself, offered insight into Spieth’s career challenges during his discussion on The Golf Supply channel. Player called Spieth
“the best golfer in the world”
but suggested that flawed coaching decisions contributed to his downturn. He highlighted Spieth’s strengths, including his exceptional short game and course management, but pointed out his inability to consistently strike the ball as a fundamental problem.
Jordan Spieth, I think is the best golfer in the world but in my opinion he was taught the wrong thing. And he just went downhill. He went downhill…A wonderful guy for golf, the best short game, best course management but he just can’t hit the ball. That is a tragedy.
—Gary Player, The Golf Supply YouTube channel
This assessment underscores the frustration around Spieth’s fall from elite status despite his evident talent and technical prowess.
The 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship: Another Setback
Jordan Spieth’s struggles continued during the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship, the opening event of the FedEx Cup playoffs. Spieth finished tied for 38th place, missing the cut for the subsequent BMW Championship by four positions, effectively ending his chances to advance further in the playoffs.
After an opening round of 69, Spieth failed to break par in the following two rounds and ended the tournament with a 3-under par total. Despite a strong start to his final round, which included two early birdies, his inconsistent middle stretch and a bogey on the final hole prevented a better finish.
This disappointing performance caused Spieth to fall six places in the FedEx Cup standings and also impacted his position in the Ryder Cup rankings. Given his form, there is uncertainty about whether he will be selected among the six picks by Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, potentially ending Spieth’s streak of five consecutive Ryder Cup appearances.
Previous Support and Recent Disappointments
Earlier in 2025, Gary Player had shown his support for Spieth, wishing him success before the PGA Championship and expressing hope that Spieth would complete the career grand slam. Despite this backing, Spieth’s performance during the PGA Championship was marred by a difficult first round score of 76, putting him at a severe disadvantage.
Spieth’s attempts to regain his former dominance have been hindered by a combination of physical setbacks, including wrist surgery, and a loss of consistent form, contributing to ongoing concern and frustration among fans and commentators alike.
Implications for Spieth’s Future in Golf
The description of Spieth’s career as a “tragedy” by a respected figure like Gary Player highlights the gravity of the situation for the young golfer. Spieth’s early career promise raised expectations of sustained greatness; however, his recent results place his future at a crossroads.
With major championships and tournaments slipping beyond reach, Spieth faces an uphill battle to reclaim his status among golf’s elite. The coming months will be critical as he attempts to recover his form, overcome physical challenges, and secure spots in important competitions like the Ryder Cup.