Reuters/Sydney
World number one Jordan Spieth returns to the course where he rediscovered the art of winning last year to defend the Australian Open title he clinched with a brilliant final round.
The American arrived in Sydney last November ranked 14th in the world with just one US PGA title to his name but shot a course record 63 to beat Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott, then the top two in the world, and secure the Stonehaven Cup.
It triggered a year in which everything the 22-year-old Texan touched seemed to turn gold as he captured his first two majors at the US Masters and US Open and won the Tour Championship to sew up the Fedex Series.
“I didn’t think it would launch that type of year,” Spieth told reporters at the Australian Golf Club yesterday.
“But in that Sunday round I really learned how to close in my head. I played one of the best rounds of my life when I really needed it.
“I really had that mental edge over the weekend to really close the deal. I had it for my whole life but I had lost it for a while. Winning here really launched it.”
Despite his remarkable year, Spieth still believes he can get better. “If I could somehow duplicate that year for the rest of my career, I’d be pretty pleased,” he conceded.
“But there’s a chance it could all come together and we could improve on the last year. I have to believe that, but I do believe it.”
Adam Scott, who leads a strong local contingent at his home Open, is still seeking his first title of the year after a horror third round saw him fall out of contention at the Australian Masters last week.
“I think he’s the guy to beat this week,” Spieth said of the 2013 US Masters champion.
“He’s fresh and he’s probably got a bit of a chip on his shoulder too after last week, especially being back home and everyone saying you haven’t won since 2014. Guaranteed he doesn’t like hearing that. If I can get into contention, I feel my game is on point ... I’m looking forward to trying to do exactly what I did last year.”
Former world number one Lee Westwood and 2011 US Open champion Darren Clarke are among a handful of European Ryder Cup veterans who will be teeing off for the first round tomorrow.
Another local hopeful is Peter Senior, who won the Australian Masters last week at the age of 56. Senior also won the Australian Open in 2012.
“It’s inspiring that you can play this great game for so long and still be winning,” Spieth added. “When I’m 56, I’ll maybe be on a beach somewhere where nobody knows me.”
For Spieth, Olympics is ‘fifth major’
AFP/Sydney
World number one Jordan Spieth yesterday said he’s treating the Olympics as a “fifth major” next year as he revealed his excitement at golf’s return to the Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Barring injury or an unexpected form slump, the reigning Masters and US Open champion will spearhead a four-strong American attack in the 60-man field at the Games in Brazil.
“Just competing in the Olympics; just walking the opening ceremony, staying in the village, meeting these incredible athletes from around the world, hopefully that’s something I’ll be able to experience next August,” he said.
“Winning a gold medal has
got to be up there now in my mind with winning a major championship.
“I’ve been asked the question: a green jacket or a gold medal, or a Wanamaker (trophy) or an Open Championship or a gold medal? That’s not fair.
“I think this year we’re going to approach it as a fifth major and we’re going to prepare like it is and I’m going to go down there and try and take care of business,” the American added.
His enthusiasm is in contrast to Australian former world number one Adam Scott, who Spieth faces at the Australian Open in Sydney starting tomorrow.
Scott last week said the Olympics was “not really a priority of my scheduling next year”.
“I’ll still base my schedule around the majors and if the Olympics fits in, then it does,”
he said.
“That’s just where I see it and the point I’m at in my life and the other priorities. And the gap in the schedule there, some time off looks quite good actually.”
Golf returns to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro next year after an exile lasting more than a century.
Jordan Spieth
