GOLF-OPEN/LEGENDS Spieth is the man to beat at the British Open, say former champions

Record ID: 146544

  • Title: GOLF-OPEN/LEGENDS Spieth is the man to beat at the British Open, say former champions
  • Date: 14th July 2015
  • Summary: ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 13, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF BAGPIPERS MARCHING AND PLAYING NINE-TIMES MAJOR CHAMPION, GARY PLAYER SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS FOR FANS SEVEN-TIMES MAJOR CHAMPION, ARNOLD PALMER WALKING TO GOLF CART
  • Embargoed: 29th July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVADSTUZ4YAZ8AHVU8GEXSWRRKC5
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Jordan Spieth is the "best putter in the world" according to Gary Player while other former champions are backing the American to win the British Open in St Andrews this week.
    Spieth, aiming to become the first golfer to win the year's first three majors since 1953, will partner fellow American Dustin Johnson and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama at the British Open on Thursday (July 14). The trio will tee-off in the opening round at 0933 local time at St Andrews, organisers said on Monday (July 13).
    Spieth's fellow American Ben Hogan was the last man to capture the first three majors of the season.
    Player said former world number one Tiger Woods and fellow American Phil Mickelson showed the world how to play the best short game and now Spieth is the leading man.
    "You drive for show and you putt for dough," Player told Reuters Television on Monday (July 13) while attending the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum Induction. "That's an old Scottish saying and it applies and they've shown the world that the big thing is how you putt, chip and bunker shot; mainly putt. And Jordan Spieth is the best putter in the world today."
    The 1973 British Open champion, Tom Weiskopf said: "Jordan Spieth is the real deal there's no doubt about it and I think he is that type of player that - look out! He's the bet. He's the guy to beat."
    Nine-times major champion, Arnold Palmer, said: "I like him very much, of course. He's a great player. And he will show it in the Open. But I give some other guys a chance too."
    "Jordan Spieth with what he has accomplished early in the year just came off the win last week again his game has been on fire," said two-times major champion Mark O'Meara. "Rickie Fowler birdying the last three holes in Aberdeen to win the Scottish Open. Rickie will be a factor. There's a lot of talented young players."
    Spieth and Fowler will be hoping to take advantage of Rory McIlroy's absence. The world number one and defending champion will miss out at the British Open after rupturing ankle ligaments while playing soccer last week.
    "I'm sorry for my friend Rory Mcllroy to have the injury like he's had a week and a half ago," said American O'Meara. "To not be here this week and defend his championship. I know he is very disappointed."
    A fellow two-times champion, Tony Jacklin of Britain, said McIlroy will probably miss the PGA Championship in a month's time.
    "At the end of the day you've got to take good care of yourself and wrap yourself in cotton wool and realise that you've only got one shot at this," Jacklin said. "I feel bad for him and I just hope he gets to tee it up at the PGA and I would think that that's in question too."
    They were all speaking at the World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum Induction which welcomed O'Meara, Laura Davies, David Graham and A.W. Tillinghast into the group which now consists of 150.
    One member of that group, Germany's Bernhard Langer will be playing in the British Open at the age of 57. Langer who won the Masters in 1985 and 1993 put his longevity down to staying healthy.
    "I've got a great coach in Willie Hoffman, a German guy; he's been with me for 40 years," Langer said. "We continuously work to improve the technique and other areas of the game and I've been very blessed the last eight or 10 years. I've played some wonderful golf especially last year. And it's fun if you stay healthy."
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