FORT WORTH, Texas — Just a few days remain until this Texas city’s mayoral runoff election takes place, so many of the homes in the neighborhood between Texas Christian University and Colonial Country Club are adorned with political signs urging voters to cast their ballots for either Mattie Parker or Deborah Peoples.
Both are looking to replace outgoing mayor Betsy Price, who is leaving after a decade at the helm.
But one home down Alton Road, a pristine stretch that backs up to TCU’s football stadium, has shunned both candidates and instead has a large photo of the 2016 champion of the nearby golf tournament accompanied by the words “Jordan Spieth for Mayor.”
Spieth might not be looking to get into office, but he’s certainly been ruling Texas golf with an iron fist of late.
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In a stretch of four Texas PGA Tour events in nine weeks, Spieth has three top-10 finishes — including a victory at the Valero Texas Open — and now owns the 54-hole lead of the Charles Schwab Challenge after he dropped an 8-foot putt on the final hole of the day. Spieth sits at 15 under, with Jason Kokrak nipping at his heels.
Although the crowds are limited at the event, organizers made tickets all-inclusive this year, meaning patrons have access to unlimited beverages.
Spieth sounded like a measured politician when addressing the topic.
“Yeah, this all-you-can-eat, all-you-can-drink out here is certainly … maybe it’s a trial run, let’s put it that way. People seem to be taking advantage,” Spieth said. “But it’s nice to be feeling a lot of the hometown support when that’s the case.
“It was a really good atmosphere out here. It’s crazy to think we were here one year ago with not a person following. What a difference a year makes and hopefully we can continue to progress that way across the world.”
Spieth had his first two bogeys of the week on the front nine during Saturday’s third round, but balanced that with six birdies, including three on the final six holes of the day.
It’s no surprise that the Texas native is leading the field due to a hot putter. Through three rounds, Spieth is first in Strokes Gained: Putting, with one of the day’s highlights coming on No. 15 when he tucked a winding birdie putt in the right side of the hole to the delight of the crowd.
Even Kokrak — who kept pace with Spieth throughout, including a stretch of four birdies in six holes on the back — understands where he ranks with the DFW crowd.
“I walked off one of the greens, I said, ‘I guess I’m not the favorite today.’ Jordan birdied 13, the par 3 and I walked off the green, I was like, ‘Well, I’m definitely not the favorite here this week,’ ” he joked. “He’s a Texas guy. I’m an Ohio guy. It’s fun. The crowds are crazy. But it’s fun to have a local kid and play well and him be in the last group.”
“And I’d be more than happy to spoil it for him tomorrow.”
