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Spieth closing in on Tour status for remainder of year

By Jason Sobel
Mar 15, 2013 3:44 PM ET

Jordan Spieth in the 2012 HP Byron Nelson Championship third round

PALM HARBOR, Fla. – Jordan Spieth may be just two days away from becoming a PGA Tour member.

Entering this week, the 19-year-old had earned $373,000 in three starts this season, thanks largely to a share of second place at last week’s Puerto Rico Open. That means he needs to earn $101,295 to claim special temporary status for the remainder of the year.

With rounds of 72-68 at the Tampa Bay Championship, he might be on the verge of eclipsing that monetary barrier this weekend.

Spieth needs to finish in a two-way tie for 14th place or better. That result would net $101,750, giving him enough to play the rest of the year on the PGA Tour.

The two-time U.S. Junior Amateur champion can use up to seven sponsor’s exemptions, as well. So far he has used three, with starts at the Shell Houston Open, Valero Texas Open and Byron Nelson Championship still to come. He didn’t need an exemption for this week’s event because he got into the field via last week’s result.