SILVIS, Ill. — Jordan Spieth is walking from one media obligation to another when an older man sticks out his hand. Spieth shakes it, makes eye contact and stops to say hello.
The man says he's on the marshaling committee for next month's John Deere Classic, where Spieth is defending champion. He'll be on the 18th hole.
"The place to be," Spieth says with a smile.
And then Spieth holds the door open for a media member holding a video camera.
Small gestures, to be sure, but they offer a glimpse into why so many hope Spieth fulfills his promise to be America's Next Big Thing.
"He is exactly the role-model-type player this tour needs,"ESPN analyst Paul Azinger says. "He's a mega talent, and I hope he remains injury-free and unjaded."