We’ve often seen Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas standing in support of each other on the greens. But before they were happy for each other’s progress, there was another emotion halting their way – Jealousy. 

Talking about their relationship during their collegiate career (freshman year), Thomas told Smylie Kaufman, “There’s a part of me that’ll never forgive myself for that [losing a national championship because he lost to Spieth in singles; and Texas Longhorns won against University of Alabama Crimson Tide]. But I got the better of him throughout the course of that season, at least.” 

Thomas did feel “nice” after winning the Freshman of the Year award over Spieth. But having Spieth winning the singles and the finals felt “awful.” On top of that, Spieth was doing everything that Thomas aspired for. That included making the Walker Cup team and getting into amateur events. 

“It definitely was a rivalry,” Justin Thomas said on The Smylie Show. “When you’re at that age, you’re not mature enough to grasp and understand being happy for the person.” 

“It was one of those things that if he had a chance to win, I didn’t really want him to win, if I’m being honest. And I’m sure he would say the same thing about me.”

But things changed as the duo grew up.

Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth’s Current Relationship 

Both Spieth and Thomas have matured enough to appreciate and support each other. Having shared the golf course since they were kids, their rivalry has turned into a friendship that lets them compete against each other on occasion. 

On Netflix’s Full Swing, Thomas even confessed, “He’s one of my best friends, we’re always going to pull for each other.”

Now, they compete at the highest level with mutual respect for each other. 

However, the duo still has a sliver of rivalry between them. In the first episode of Full Swing, Thomas said, "But at the same time, I hope that I beat him in every single tournament that we play in for the rest of our life.”

What do you think of the bittersweet relationship between Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas? Tell us in the comments and read more at Daily Club Golf!

Written by

Krushna Pattnaik

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu