Jordan Spieth, a Dallas native and former Texas golfer, accepted a sponsor’s exemption Wednesday to compete in the HP Byron Nelson Championship, May 13-19 in Irving.
Spieth, who turned professional after his freshman season at Texas, tied for second at last week’s Puerto Rico Open on the PGA Tour. Spieth, 19, also has posted a pair of Top 10 finishes on the 2013 Web.com Tour.The Dallas Jesuit graduate made his PGA Tour debut at the 2010 Nelson, finishing tied for 16th while competing as a junior in high school. It remains the highest finish in tournament history by an amateur.In his lone college season, Spieth led Texas to a 2012 NCAA championship, earned low amateur honors at the 2012 U.S. Open and was a finalist for the 2012 Ben Hogan Award, given to the nation’s top college golfer. Spieth’s appearance in this year’s Nelson will be his first as a professional in his hometown tour stop.“We know bright things are in store for Jordan as he begins his career on the PGA Tour,” said Mike McKinley, the Nelson tournament chairman. “He did so well here as an amateur and we are looking forward to welcoming him back.”Jimmy Burch, 817-390-7760 Twitter: @Jimmy_Burch
