SHANGHAI — Jordan Spieth wore a black tunic with red trim around the collar to take part in a Chinese drum ceremony late Tuesday afternoon just as the Shanghai skyline began to glow with lights behind him and three other top players.
This was the traditional photo opportunity to kick off the HSBC Champions. One observer noted that Spieth had not dressed like that since graduation, which for him was only four years ago — from high school.
The landscape in golf is changing quicker than the rapid beat of those Chinese drums.
One year ago, Spieth wasn't even in the top 10 in the world and had only one win as a pro.