Jordan Spieth has given the PGA Tour an even bigger dilemma to solve after what happened at the WM Phoenix Open

Had the PGA Tour known before the WM Phoenix Open that TPC Scottsdale would witness an eight-shot victory by a relatively unknown player among casual fans, they might have raised a few eyebrows.

The start of the PGA Tour season has been testing for many fans, who have had to wait patiently for the return of the marquee players. Injuries sidelined Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele, while Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth only made their season debuts at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

McIlroy’s win at Pebble Beach injected some much-needed energy into the tour, and Spieth’s performance at the WM Phoenix Open reminded everyone exactly what they’d been missing.

Entering the final round at TPC Scottsdale, Spieth was five shots behind leader Thomas Detry. Although he didn’t close the gap with the Belgian contender, his play certainly set the stage for future excitement.

Jordan Spieth’s Impact at the WM Phoenix Open

Throughout the week in Arizona, the 31-year-old recorded only two bogeys, finishing in a tie for fourth. Still, his performance served as a powerful reminder of the flair and skill that have made him a fan favorite.

A moment destined to be remembered came on the 11th hole on Sunday. Spieth’s errant drive landed under a bush, forcing the three-time major champion to punt the ball back onto the fairway using the backside of his putter. He was widely applauded for turning the situation into an “insane” par by making an impressive up-and-down. Yet, that same moment also underscored one of the PGA Tour’s persistent challenges: slow play.

There’s no denying that the tour must address pace-of-play issues. Earlier this year, fans grew increasingly frustrated when the final round of The American Express stretched to nearly six hours. Considering that one of TGL’s most successful innovations has been the introduction of a shot clock, it’s hardly surprising that many fans are eager to see a similar solution adopted at PGA Tour events.