Jordan Spieth believes mint-flavored gum has calming properties
Golf Culture Jordan Spieth Stalker Open Championship

Jordan Spieth believes mint-flavored gum has calming properties

Credit: Getty Images
FOLLOW: iHEART | TUNEIN


Jordan Spieth was chewing hard on gum on Thursday in the first round of the 2017 British Open Championship. Spieth also shares the lead with Brooks Koepka and Matt Kuchar after Round 1 of the 2017 Open.

Coincidence?

Spieth's teacher, Cameron McCormick, brought a few unusual things to the practice tee on Thursday -- one was a TrackMan launch monitor, and the other was a supply of gum. McCormick offered Spieth a piece before his round, and the two-time major winner took it. He was chewing somewhat unconsciously, and then he finally thought about it after a couple of holes.

"I was 1 under through two and I thought I better keep it in," he said. "Payne Stewart used to do it and it served him well. I think mint has some sort of effect on nerves, but I was still feeling them a bit out there."

Spieth didn't speak about the mint or the gum with the kind of conviction Phil Mickelson might about one of his latest theories. He didn't sound like a gum convert -- really, more of a gum skeptic.

So, will Spieth chew sugar-free mint gum on Friday? Why mess with success?

 

About the author

Ryan Ballengee

Ryan Ballengee is founder and editor of Golf News Net. He has been writing and broadcasting about golf for nearly 20 years. Ballengee lives in the Washington, D.C. area with his family. He is a scratch golfer...sometimes.

Ballengee can be reached by email at ryan[at]thegolfnewsnet.com

Ryan occasionally links to merchants of his choosing, and GNN may earn a commission from sales generated by those links. See more in GNN's affiliate disclosure.