World-renowned swing instructor Hank Haney believes Jordan Spieth's putting struggles are a mental issue, saying the 25-year-old looks to have golf's dreaded Y-word.

"When I watch him putt, he visibly has the yips," Haney told ESPN's Bob Harig. "You watch his hands on short putts and there is a tremor in there."

Putting woes were a major factor in Spieth's career-worst 2018 season. He failed to record a win for the first time in six years and missed five cuts, the same amount as his rookie season on Tour.

"I don't care if the putt goes in or doesn't. He was center cut on his first putt at the Ryder Cup, but his hands were shaking," Haney added. "He (must've missed) more short putts than anybody on Tour."

Spieth ranked 123rd in strokes gained: putting last year and 181st in putts-made percentage from three feet.

The three-time major winner's 2019 campaign began at this week's Sony Open after failing to qualify for the winners-only Tournament of Champions. He lost nearly three strokes putting in his opening round Thursday.