Jordan Spieth offers glimpse into 2026 thinking after Sony Open opener

Spieth has looked frustrated for a while, and it is easy to see why. Ongoing wrist issues forced him to change his swing completely, but a successful surgery in 2024 means he is going into this year healthy.

That has helped him find trust in his swing again, and there is a noticeable shift in how he is carrying himself. Following a two-under opening round at the Sony Open, the 32-year-old spoke positively about where things are heading.

“I had a healthy offseason, so working on kind of my hand path. My hands had not been doing what they did when I was at my best for quite a while now, and now they kind of can.

“It’s a combination of how it carries the club and where it gets to in space. It’s one thing to be doing it on the driving range. It’s another today to do it when you’re playing. It’s another to do it in tournament play.

“Today was significantly better than a month ago as far as that goes, and I was able to be more outwardly focused. I think it’s only going to get better from here. I really, really was very pleased with what I saw today, and I like what’s coming. I just need to tighten it up on and around the greens.

Spieth seems mentally ready for the season ahead and genuinely optimistic about what lies ahead – something that has not been said about him for some time. If he keeps building on this start, there is no reason why he cannot pick up another PGA Tour win this year.

Jordan Spieth addresses comments about his approach to the game

Spieth has often faced criticism for being too analytical on the course. He tends to break down every detail of his game, and there have been times when that approach seems to have worked against him.

Asked about this at the Sony Open, the 32-year-old explained: “I’ve always liked to have a swing thought. Luckily, because of all that work, it doesn’t have to be as severe as what could make it more challenging to hit shots. If you’re trying to make swings and you’re in these conditions, that’s a very difficult way to play.

“So I’ve been working hard on trying get to a position where I can be very dialed in outwardly and it doesn’t have to be perfect. If I can inch my way that way and start to see some shots that I didn’t have the last couple years, then I’m going to gain confidence and it’s going to get better day in and day out.”

He added: “Structurally, I should be better with my mechanics, and therefore I should be significantly more consistent. You know, I would imagine that the – hopefully the worst – I don’t want to call it that, but the worst I could be would be week one, and it should get better here forth.

“I have closure on exactly what I need to be working. And although it may not be all the way there where I want it in tournament play, each round as I continue to trust it should get a little bit better and better.

“And not caring about the result and just being dialled into the next shot is highly important right now because it allows me to free up a little bit more and I make better swings and hit better shots.

“So trying to enjoy myself more, too. It was a bit of a grind of a last couple years, and if I’m not having fun out here – I mean, I know ten years from now I’m going to wish I had these ten years back. I certainly wish I could go back ten years.

“All in all, if you’re not having fun, what are you doing out here? All that together should really help.”

Spieth is clearly aware of how overthinking has affected him before. But understanding the problem is one thing – following through with real change is another. The real test will come when pressure builds later in the year.