It’s clear that Jordan Spieth values the Olympics, even if his sport is just now returning to the Games for the first time in 112 years.
Last month, Spieth recalled a childhood dream of marching in the Opening Ceremony, which he may well be able to live out in Rio de Janeiro next year.
Spieth, who won the Masters and U.S. Open this year, was recently asked by Matt Lauer on TODAY if an Olympic gold medal would compare to a Masters Green Jacket.
“Sure it would,” Spieth said (video here). “A gold medal? I mean, that’s -- that stands the test of time. Not that a jacket doesn’t. But they would both be up there. Don’t ask me to choose between the two, because I’ve got one, and the other would hold a special place in my heart.”
The Rio 2016 Olympic golf field of 60 players will be determined by world rankings. Spieth, at No. 1, is just about a lock to qualify as one of a maximum four U.S. men.