GOLF-BRITISH/OPEN Masters winner Jordan Spieth prepares to play at St. Andrews for first time in competition

Record ID: 147214

  • Title: GOLF-BRITISH/OPEN Masters winner Jordan Spieth prepares to play at St. Andrews for first time in competition
  • Date: 14th July 2015
  • Summary: ST. ANDREWS, SCOTLAND, UK (JULY 14, 2015) (REUTERS) GOLFERS INCLUDING U.S. MASTERS AND U.S. OPEN WINNER JORDAN SPIETH AT SPONSORS EVENT JORDAN SPIETH SUCCESSFULLY HITS TARGET WITH HIS SHOT/HUNTER MAHAN GOLFERS GATHERED FOR INTERVIEWS (SOUNDBITE)(English) MASTERS AND U.S. OPEN WINNER JORDAN SPIETH SAYS: "It's so challenging the win, it makes you when you do. I didn't really
  • Embargoed: 29th July 2015 13:00
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  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA74HUBTYB9S81KDWBJTYO02TIN
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  • Story Text: Jordan Spieth, having won the U.S. Masters and U.S. Open, is in Scotland ready for his opening round of the British Open at St. Andrews Old Course on Thursday (July 16).
    Just 21 years of age Spieth is thrilled to be getting the chance of becoming the first player since 1953 to win the U.S. Masters, the U.S. Open and the British Open in the same season.
    Spieth led from wire to wire in the Masters at Augusta in April.
    His victory in last month's U.S. Open at Chambers Bay, however, was achieved in completely different style as he benefited from a meltdown by Dustin Johnson who took three putts on the final green.
    "I didn't really expect it there at the end, that was kind of a shocker," said Spieth at a sponsor's event on Tuesday (July 14).
    "It makes you appreciate it more because each week it's hard just to get into contention and compete with these guys but that's the joy and challenge of it.
    "We are playing with the best players in the world, it's so challenging to win that it makes you really appreciate it when you do."
    Spieth has won four times in total this year and knows he must change his week-to-week routine if he is to repeat Ben Hogan's 1953 feat.
    "I think you put a little more emphasis on flighting the ball, hitting the ball different trajectories. You know you have balls rolling out a lot further than we normally see so you got to watch your distance control so you maybe put a driving iron into play other than a hybrid in the States. Other than that you just try to play your game and get adjusted to the golf course, where the bunkers are and avoid them."
    Hunter Mahan is a committed fan of the links courses found especially in Scotland.
    "Yeah, I enjoy playing over here," he said. "It's a lot of fun, it's a great challenge, a lot of creativity in how you want to play on these courses so I enjoy that aspect and the way that the elements are part of it, I enjoy that you never know what you are going to get each day."
    Gary Woodland is also a fan of the seaside courses with strong gusting winds and surprises.
    "The wind is supposed to blow pretty good on Friday and Saturday so, I grew up in the wind, I like to see the wind and like to keep the ball low so hopefully we do get the wind," he said. "The golf course toughens up and hopefully I can get on the good side of the draw and sneak past everybody."
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