As Scottie Scheffler has risen to the top of the golfing world, Jordan Spieth has had a ringside seat. As a fellow Dallas resident, the pair have played together many times - but it's been a double edged sword.
Three-time Major champion Spieth started off his career in incredible fashion but has stalled somewhat since, while Scheffler has risen up the ranks and is now looking untouchable.
While Scheffler is off preparing for his wife to give birth, Spieth is the headline act at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in their native Texas, where he's hoping to find some of his best form again.
The 30-year-old has watched Scheffler emerge as golf's leading light and, being so close to him, he's obviously happy for his friend - but is also using just a hint of jealousy as inspiration.
"I have known Scottie since he was really, really young," said Spieth. "I think he's a better person than he is a player, and having known somebody and seen them come up and obviously went to University of Texas, I'm nothing but extremely excited and happy for him. It's well deserved and all that.
"And then on the flip side, like it's kind of the first time I've ever looked at somebody younger than me and I've driven inspiration. Like I am inspired by what he is doing. It makes me want to go out and get better, and that's always been someone that's older than me. Kind of the first time I felt that way about somebody that's younger.
"Because I play a decent amount of rounds with him here in town. I'm constantly seeing it and trying to beat him at home, and when he's playing better than I am, it sucks. I don't enjoy it when I'm side by side because there were however many years of our life it wasn't that way."
"I've got plenty of runway to be able to get back." @JordanSpieth speaks on being inspired by Scottie Scheffler. pic.twitter.com/5hwFVTI752May 1, 2024
And now Scheffler is out in front and Spieth is looking up to him, he says he's not too far off from putting all parts of his game together to make a challenge.
"It's flipped and I feel like I've got plenty of runway to be able to get it back. It's inspiring at the same time to try make that happen," Spieth added.
"I have nothing in my way of being able to make that happen but my own self. I've got enough. I believe in my ceiling, and I believe my ceiling is as high as anybody's. I have to get each part of my game up towards its ceiling.
"I have a couple areas that are about at it right now and a couple areas that need to get there. If they do, then I feel like we could go on runs together I guess."
