AKRON, Ohio — Jordan Spieth was calm and content. Conversations with his golf ball were limited.
That's when he knew something was wrong.
Spieth won the Masters and U.S. Open, along with two other PGA Tour titles this year, with a relentless intensity and animated instructions he gives his golf ball in flight. The Bridgestone Invitational was his first tournament since he missed the playoff at the British Open by one shot, ending his remarkable bid for a Grand Slam.
There was some rust, to be sure. But there was not much emotion.
His wedge to the opening hole was too strong, leaving him above the hole with a tough putt.