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Spieth Has High Praise for Scottie Scheffler

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rodney Knuppel | Last updated Jul 20, 2025 10:33 PM ET

Jordan Spieth didn't hold back when talking about Scottie Scheffler after his final round at the 2025 Open Championship. Following a tough week at Royal Portrush, Spieth was asked about Scheffler's continued dominance and delivered a candid comparison to one of the NBA's most respected stars.

The statement summed up what much of the golf world already knows. Scheffler, who walked away with yet another major title at this year’s Open, isn’t flashy or loud. He’s just consistently excellent.

“Nikola Jokic is the only guy I can think of that's a superstar that's equally unassuming in any sport in the modern era, and I'm happy if anybody else can find another example, but it's very rare,” Spieth said. “That’s what Scottie’s like.”

Jordan Spieth on Scottie Scheffler:

"Nikola Jokic is the only guy I can think of that's a superstar that's equally unassuming in any sport in the modern era, and I'm happy if anybody else can find another example, but it's very rare."
— Underdog Golf (@UnderdogGolf) July 20, 2025

Scheffler's performance at Royal Portrush was just like a clinic on the game. Despite some challenging conditions at times and a course that gave several top players trouble, he stayed steady from start to finish. He closed Sunday with a 68 to win by four strokes, claiming his second major of the season and further cementing his status as the undisputed top player in the world. His only blemish was a double-bogey on the eighth hole.

Meanwhile, Spieth’s own tournament didn’t go according to plan. After a tough start on Thursday, with a 73, he bounced back with a 69 on Friday to make the cut. Following a 72 on Saturday and 68 on Sunday, Spieth finished outside the top 30, marking yet another frustrating major showing for the 2017 Open champion.

Still, Spieth knows greatness when he sees it. His Jokic comparison wasn’t just a compliment; it was a recognition of how rare Scheffler’s humility and excellence truly are. Like the Denver Nuggets star, Scheffler stays out of the spotlight off the course but dominates when it matters.

While Spieth continues to chase his next big moment, he seems just as much a fan of the game’s current king as the rest of us. Meanwhile, Scheffler will get a chance to finish the career grand slam next June at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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