In the afterglow of Jordan Spieth’s historic win at The Masters it is easy to get all giddy about what Jordan Spieth can do for golf.
We who really watch golf know there is no “next Tiger Woods” just as there was no “next Jack Nicklaus” back in the ‘80’s. The “next one” can’t be christened off of a major win or a great season. The “next one” just evolves. He grows and blossoms after tests, and trials and years of competition.
We shouldn’t label Spieth as the next Tiger or even the next Rory. McIlroy was labeled that and while he has become the number one golfer in the world and he has had streaks of domination, for a few reasons he hasn’t dominated as Tiger or Jack did. And he probably won’t.
Nicklaus and Woods were once in a lifetime golfers. It just so happens their “lifetimes” overlapped. 
But what Jordan Spieth can be is a worthy rival to Rory and they both could trade punches, top rankings and majors for decades.
For the first time in the history of the Official World Golf Rankings the top two players are both 25 years old or younger.
McIlroy has four majors, including two of the last three and when hot he can blow away fields even in the major championships.
While only 25 he does have some scars both on and off the course but has grown into a focused golfer with winning majors as his main goal.
Spieth has been the hottest golfer since the end of 2014 and his Masters win seemed a logical climax for his stellar play. Spieth receives accolades for his mature and gentlemanly manner and it’s difficult to fathom the perspective that comes from him at such a young age.
Both Rory and McIlroy are loved by both the fans and the media for their open, honest and down to earth manner but while similar in those respects their golf games are significantly different.
Rory hits the longest and highest of golf shots. He blows it by all but a few pros and can drop a long iron on to the green with a softness that most golfers can only imagine. 
When his game is on he’ll dominate a golf course and any and all competitors. He’s the kind of golfer that players stop to watch on the range and fans gawk at the length and flight of his drives.
Spieth plays a different game. He never approaches 300 yard drives and usually gives away twenty to thirty yards to the big hitters.
While he prefers to play from the short grass it doesn’t always work out that way. But somehow he seems to always get it on or at least close to the green and relies on a superb short game and a confident putter to score.
He’s the kind of player that if you are playing with him you wouldn’t see him after his tee shot until the green, where he is writing down a birdie to your par.
He’s sneaky good and relies on his feel more than a swing monitor. While Rory’s swing is an explosive attack at the ball Jordan’s is more a home grown controlled slap.
That being said, with their different approaches these two could just be the rivalry golf could use to transition from the Tiger Era.
For years we have lusted over a Tiger & Phil rivalry but it was only on paper, never on the course.
Rory and Jordan, if they stay at the top of their game may become the next Hogan/Nelson or Palmer/Nicklaus or Nicklaus/Trevino or Nicklaus/Miller or Nicklaus/Watson or Nicklaus and insert name here.
But first we need to see a little more. Another major by Jordan or some head to head final rounds with the two of them trying to “beat each other brains in” is how Nicklaus phrased it would be just the fuel to fire up this rivalry.
It’s not there yet but these two players are in the best position to ignite a rivalry that can carry golf for a long time.
See you at The PLAYERS maybe we’ll get a glimpse of it there.
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