Jordan Spieth's Sony Open debut shows one significant improvement

Through two rounds at the Sony Open, Spieth is four under and has picked up two shots on approach after offseason work to restore his swing and wedge play.

Jordan Spieth arrived at the 2026 Sony Open after five months off and after rebuilding work following wrist surgery and the 2025 season. He spent 2025 trying to fix swing issues and regain the feel that previously helped his scoring. Two areas that troubled him last year were approach play and putting, which he addressed in the offseason. Through two rounds at Waialae Country Club his approach play and wedge work have shown noticeable gains. Key facts: - Spieth picked up two shots on approach over the first 36 holes of the Sony Open. - He is four under through two rounds and sits five shots behind a group of co-leaders that includes Davis Riley and defending champion Nick Taylor. - In 2025 Spieth recorded four top-10s in 19 events but saw his season end after the first leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs; he also had wrist surgery following 2024. - Last season he lost 0.204 strokes on approach per round (138th on Tour) and was around the middle of the field on putting, metrics he has worked to improve. - He has focused on his hand path and the way his hands carry the club, aiming to reproduce a feel that works in tournament conditions. Summary: Spieth describes his wedge play and approach control as a "significant improvement," and the early scoring at Waialae reflects that progress. He enters the weekend four under and five shots back, and the weekend rounds will indicate whether the changes hold up in competition. The Sony Open is presented as one step in a longer process of rebuilding his game and establishing a new phase of his career.