'My Ceiling Is As High As Anybody's' - Jordan Spieth Using Scottie Scheffler Pursuit As Inspiration
Jordan Spieth says watching Scottie Scheffler rise at close quarters has been a double edged sword as he looks to close the gap on his good friend and World No.1


As Scottie Scheffler has risen to the top of the golfing world, Jordan Spieth has had a ringside seat. As a fellow Dallas resident, the pair have played together many times - but it's been a double edged sword.
Three-time Major champion Spieth started off his career in incredible fashion but has stalled somewhat since, while Scheffler has risen up the ranks and is now looking untouchable.
While Scheffler is off preparing for his wife to give birth, Spieth is the headline act at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in their native Texas, where he's hoping to find some of his best form again.
The 30-year-old has watched Scheffler emerge as golf's leading light and, being so close to him, he's obviously happy for his friend - but is also using just a hint of jealousy as inspiration.
"I have known Scottie since he was really, really young," said Spieth. "I think he's a better person than he is a player, and having known somebody and seen them come up and obviously went to University of Texas, I'm nothing but extremely excited and happy for him. It's well deserved and all that.
"And then on the flip side, like it's kind of the first time I've ever looked at somebody younger than me and I've driven inspiration. Like I am inspired by what he is doing. It makes me want to go out and get better, and that's always been someone that's older than me. Kind of the first time I felt that way about somebody that's younger.
"Because I play a decent amount of rounds with him here in town. I'm constantly seeing it and trying to beat him at home, and when he's playing better than I am, it sucks. I don't enjoy it when I'm side by side because there were however many years of our life it wasn't that way."
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
"I've got plenty of runway to be able to get back." @JordanSpieth speaks on being inspired by Scottie Scheffler. pic.twitter.com/5hwFVTI752May 1, 2024
And now Scheffler is out in front and Spieth is looking up to him, he says he's not too far off from putting all parts of his game together to make a challenge.
"It's flipped and I feel like I've got plenty of runway to be able to get it back. It's inspiring at the same time to try make that happen," Spieth added.
"I have nothing in my way of being able to make that happen but my own self. I've got enough. I believe in my ceiling, and I believe my ceiling is as high as anybody's. I have to get each part of my game up towards its ceiling.
"I have a couple areas that are about at it right now and a couple areas that need to get there. If they do, then I feel like we could go on runs together I guess."

Paul Higham is a sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in covering most major sporting events for both Sky Sports and BBC Sport. He is currently freelance and covers the golf majors on the BBC Sport website. Highlights over the years include covering that epic Monday finish in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and watching Rory McIlroy produce one of the most dominant Major wins at the 2011 US Open at Congressional. He also writes betting previews and still feels strangely proud of backing Danny Willett when he won the Masters in 2016 - Willett also praised his putting stroke during a media event before the Open at Hoylake. Favourite interviews he's conducted have been with McIlroy, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn, Rickie Fowler and the enigma that is Victor Dubuisson. A big fan of watching any golf from any tour, sadly he spends more time writing about golf than playing these days with two young children, and as a big fair weather golfer claims playing in shorts is worth at least five shots. Being from Liverpool he loves the likes of Hoylake, Birkdale and the stretch of tracks along England's Golf Coast, but would say his favourite courses played are Kingsbarns and Portrush.
-
Bryson DeChambeau's New Irons: LIV Golf Star Explains Fascinating Intricacies Of New LA Golf Clubs
The LIV star has taken gear effect to a whole new level in his new irons, as he told media ahead of the 2025 US Open
-
US Open Prize Money Payout 2025
A record-equaling purse is available at the third Major of the year, which comes from Oakmont
-
'The Rough Is Ankle-Deep, You're Lucky To See Your Shoes Let Alone Your Golf Ball' - Wayne Riley's US Open Picks And Insight Into What It Takes To Win At Oakmont
Wayne Riley is expecting another big week from the World No.1 - but he also has a few interesting fancies at much bigger prices
-
How Much Prize Money Has Scottie Scheffler Won In 2025?
The World No.1 has added to his Major championship haul and won twice more on the PGA Tour as well - but how much prize money has he collected this year?
-
'It’s Pure Golf, No Funny Business About It' - Jordan Spieth Previews US Open Test Oakmont Will Pose
Jordan Spieth says that the USGA haven't tricked up Oakmont, and that it's just a tough course with rough that rightly punishes bad shots at the US Open
-
Joaquin Niemann Leapfrogs Scottie Scheffler And Rory McIlroy As Golf's Top Earner In 2025 After LIV Golf Virginia Victory
The Chilean's fourth win of the year secured another $4 million and consequently catapulted Niemann to the top of the on-course earnings across all tours
-
We Tried To Work Out Scottie Scheffler’s Handicap In 2025. Here’s What The Data Says…
What would Scottie Scheffler's handicap be if he wasn't a professional golfer? We run through the numbers and the rounds to try and find out...
-
'Those Guys Are Not In His League' - Jack Nicklaus Delivers Frank Words To Scottie Scheffler's Competitors After Memorial Win
Nicklaus had high praise for Scottie Scheffler after the World No.1 emerged victorious at The Memorial Tournament
-
Scottie Scheffler Becomes First Player Since Tiger Woods To Successfully Defend Memorial Tournament Title
The World No.1 recorded his 16th PGA Tour title and third win in his past four starts via a four-stroke success at Muirfield Village Golf Club
-
'I Care Much More About Winning The Tour Championship Than I Do Winning The Money For The Tour Championship' - Scheffler Reflects On FedEx Cup Changes
Scottie Scheffler reflected on the changes to the Tour Championship and again insisted he's more focused on the prestige of winning than the huge financial rewards