Spieth Looking For Hometown Win At Byron Nelson
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IRVING (CBSDFW.COM) - The AT&T Byron Nelson golf tournament is underway in Las Colinas. The first round starts on Thursday, but the players are already in town, including Dallas native Jordan Spieth. The tournament runs through Sunday and, if you are not going to see it in person, you can watch it on CBS.
Spieth was out on the course Tuesday for opening ceremonies. He missed the cut at The Players Championship in Florida last week by a single stroke, but said that he is preparing for a hometown win this week.
The golfer remained positive on Tuesday when talking about his expectations. "Some really fun memories, always fantastic to be back at this event," said Spieth. "Going to walk around with a smile on my face this week and, hopefully, work my way into contention. I think last year was my best finish ever at this event."
Spieth was the champion of The Masters golf tournament last year, but he really wants to win at home. "If we won this event, that would be a very special moment that I would cherish forever," he said. "This is the event where my dad and I hopped the fence to come in and watch. We also paid for tickets some years. Some years we parked too far away. I think, one year, he got his car towed when we parked too close. I remember that."
In addition to opening ceremonies, Spieth also hosted a youth golf clinic on Tuesday and put on a show for spectators. He teed up a ball with a marshmallow on top, hit the ball, then ran to catch the marshmallow in his mouth. The crowd went crazy!
Wednesday is the Nokia Gold Pro-Am charity tournament. All of the money raised goes to Momentous Institute, which assists children in developing strong social and emotional health. The golf tournament has raised more than $143 million since 1968, and expects to raise another $6.5 million this year.
Some kids from Momentous Institute walked the golf course as caddies for the pros during Wednesday's tournament. It was a fun learning experience that they were thankful to receive. "It's a difficult sport, and you have to concentrate a lot," fifth-grade student Salamon Navarette said. He was paired up with golf pro Jimmy Walker. "When they're hitting the ball, you have to be very quiet because one little sound can throw them off."
"I feel very grateful, because I know a lot of schools don't get this privilege," said fifth-grader Mia Williams. She and Navarette are also junior reporters who have been blogging for the AT&T Byron Nelson's website. They had a chance to interview Spieth on Tuesday.