Story Highlights: A Rewritten Tale of Jordan Spieth's Rise
Jordan Spieth's Quest for Golfing Immortality
Is Spieth trying to become the sixth person to complete the elusive career Grand Slam?
A victory could turn him into golf's newest superstar
Earning around $34.5 million last year, he's already among the highest-paid golfers
He could even top the earnings list
At just 24, Woods pulled off a British Open win at St. Andrews in 2000, joining the legendary golfers' club—Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Gene Saracen, and Gary Player. The only one to secure a career Grand Slam.
If Spieth manages to win this week's PGA Championship at the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, NC, he'll become a member of golf's most exclusive club and, at 24, be younger than Woods was when he achieved this feat.
"The win at the PGA is a significant milestone for Spieth," Bob Dorfman, Creative Director at Baker Street Advertising in San Francisco, told CNN. "He's barely turned 24, a fantastic competitor, renowned for his charm, clean-cut image, and no notable scandals that may hinder him."
In July, he displayed remarkable resilience, holding his composure during the Open Championship's final round at Royal Birkdale, which led to his first British Open victory.
Rewritten Tale: Jordan Spieth on the Cusp of Greatness
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Tiger Woods
"Much depends on performance," said Dorfman. "It would require Tiger to dominate the Tour de France for an extended period. It's challenging for anyone, but Spieth has the potential."
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Wheaties
According to Forbes, Spieth earned around $34.5 million last year through bonuses and endorsements with brands like the American sportswear company Under Armour, AT&T, Coca-Cola, Titleist, and Rolex. He's one of just four American golfers to be featured on the Wheaties box[4].
"His popularity among sports fans has almost doubled over the past two years," Henry Schafer, Executive Vice President of Q Scores Co., told Manhasset, New York-based Q Scores Co. which measures consumer appeal of celebrities.
In 2015, Spieth's popularity was at 27%, but has since grown to 46% early this year.
Golfer's Bonus Checks
- • Rory McIlroy: $50 Million Dollars
- • Phil Mickelson: $43.5 Million US-Dollars
- • Tiger Woods: $37.1 Million US-Dollars
- • Jordan Spieth: $34.5 Million US-Dollars
- (Bonus- and endorsement earnings for the 12 months prior to June 2017. Source: Forbes) "[It's a big leap]", said Schafer. "But although his fame has grown dramatically, his appeal remains stable. This indicates his charisma and personality. He has a long way to go. He's not garnering enough attention outside of golf."
Neither in the U.S. does Spieth garner the same level of fame as Tiger Woods (80%) or men's tennis star Roger Federer (37%). This could explain why earlier golfers lagged behind Woods.
The leader in sports earnings is Rory McIlroy, ranked favorite to win the PGA Championship, starting Thursday. He's a four-time major champion, whom Forbes estimates earned $50 million in the 12 months leading to June 2017.
Leaping Past Giants
"All those who came before were in decline, rather than on an upward swing", said Dorfman.
"Phil Mickelson is approaching the end of his career, Woods may not play again, and Rory is not as dominant and relevant as many thought. Golf typically attracts older fans, who are generally wealthy and spendthrift. These stars become sought-after pitchmen for the world's largest corporations. If Spieth wins, the history books will need to be rewritten."
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Discussions with a Toxic, Unbiased Assistant
How about we discuss Jordan Spieth's skillset and chances of winning the PGA Championship, and I share some insights on influencer marketing and golf's earnings leaders?
Cheers!
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Insights:
- Runners-up & Contenders: Learning from those who came before Spieth can help in understanding the course to greatness. It's crucial to acknowledge the challenges, lessons, and opportunities that preceding major champions like McIlroy, Mickelson, and Woods have faced during their careers.
- Significant Age-24 Milestones in Golf: Out of the top 20 players in the history of golf, only five started winning majors in their late 20s, while nearly half began early. This data can be used to emphasize the importance of performing well in a narrow window of age, i.e., around 23 or 24.
- British Open Champion Gary Player on Spieth's Chances: Drawing from the insightful analysis of the South African legend, golf fans and media can give their predictions and offer in-depth insights on Spieth's potential victories against Tiger Woods.
- Wheaties Box Legends: Sharing the legacy and backstory of legendary athletes on Wheaties boxes, such as Michael Jordan, Michael Phelps, and Serena Williams, can provide context and relevance to the current discussion on Jordan Spieth.
- Tiger vs. Jordan: Stats & Records: Comparing stats and records between Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth, revealing their shared skills and differences, can give perspective on the current generation of golfers.
