The Open 2015: Jordan Spieth's sporting grace in defeat inspires greater faith in the wonders yet to come

His well-adjusted character can probably be attributed to his upbringing in a family of orthodox Christian values in Texas

Jordan Spieth finished in joint fourth place (Getty Images)

Jordan Spieth is arguably more remarkable in defeat. Knowing how to lose with grace, which he demonstrated with such authenticity in his generous appraisal of Zach Johnson’s Open Championship success, is as valuable as the will to win since it keeps the equilibrium in balance and the golfer ready to go the next day free of anger and disappointment.

Spieth did not like letting history slip through his fingers at the 71st hole at St Andrews on Monday. He owned up to the error on the green that led to the bogey which ended his march towards a third successive major without taking it personally. The world wasn’t against him. It’s sport. Perfection is not within the human gift. It can’t always go your way.

“I played a really solid round of golf,” Spieth reflected. “I didn’t miss many chances, other than No 8, I thought it was perfect. Obviously, 17 and 18 could have been a little different, but I struck the ball phenomenally well, I drove the ball as good as I’ve driven it this entire year, including the other majors and every other tournament.

“I think the way that I played this week and especially today would have won the US Open by more than just a shot. I didn’t play as well there. It’s just that’s the kind of golf that was played by the field this week, it just took some special golf. Whoever comes out the champion, that’s a hell of a major.”

Well said, young man. We can probably attribute this well-adjusted character to his upbringing in a family of orthodox Christian values in Texas, where churchgoing on Sunday is still a ritual upheld. Spieth is not overt in his devotion to God, though he has referenced on the odd occasion his attendance of the Bible classes organised by fellow believers on the PGA Tour, led by Ben Crane and supported by the freshly minted Open champion as well as 2009 incumbent Stewart Cink and double Masters champion Bubba Watson.

Johnson attributed his success at St Andrews to the silent recital of the Psalms as he fenced his way to victory in the play-off. It is to a degree shocking in this secular age but perhaps it shouldn’t be. The American President is sworn into office with his hand on a Bible and would not have got that far had he not expressed his belief in Christ the Saviour.

Indeed, God remains central to the key functions of state and to the significant rituals in British life. Testimony in court is authenticated by swearing on the Bible and, though attendances at Sunday services are dwindling at a rapid rate, the presence of an agent of God at births, deaths and marriages up and down the land demonstrates society’s dependence on religious ritual to formalise the big moments in our lives.

In that context it is surprising that religious attachment is not more pronounced when pressure mounts on the sporting field as it did on Monday in the riveting final day at St Andrews. Johnson took away the Claret Jug but none of the wonder at what Spieth might yet achieve in the game.

The reception he received striding up the 18th, when a birdie would still have got him into the play-off, was the kind reserved only for the special player. His playing partner Jason Day, in so many parts of the game the equal if not superior golfing specimen, was in exactly the same spot, needing to get down in three to roll the dice in the play-off, but the narrative was not scripted by him.

And the disappointment when the Australian’s birdie putt reared up short did not reach the decibel levels when Spieth set his ball rolling from the Valley of Sin. “Get in, get in,” chorused the gallery in the stand behind the 18th green, willing history to take the high road at the home of golf.

Spieth accepted the outcome better than they did. He knew well enough what was at stake. How could he not? Since in every engagement with the media he has been reminded of the route he was taking as if it were his personal responsibility to deliver a calendar Grand Slam.

Nonsense, of course. His job was to win a tournament and let the sum of history’s parts take care of themselves. A point he made ever so politely after coming up one stroke short. “None of the historical element came into my head whatsoever, because 17 is just so brutal, and 18 is tough to get close,” Spieth said. “So at that point it’s how can we work our butt off to make a four on 17 and just give ourselves a putt to win.”