Spieth credits Australia for spurring his career

JORDAN Spieth credits his special affinity with Australia for helping propel him on the path to golfing stardom.

Spieth is possibly three weeks away from becoming the youngest player in history to win all four of golf’s major championships after adding the British Open to his 2015 Masters and US Open wins.

The Texan won his first two majors months after breaking a 16-month title drought at the Australian Open and is now drinking from the famed Claret Jug of the British Open.

He survived a major wobble in the last round at Birkdale to end on 12 under par and beat compatriot Matt Kuchar by three shots.

Spieth confirmed this month he’d return to Sydney for a fourth straight year in November to defend his Open crown. The world No.3 says his relaxing but competitive annual sojourns to Australia help set up his season.

“I do kick back there. I’m very excited to go back,” Spieth said after his thrilling threestroke comeback win at Royal Birkdale. “We really enjoyed our time there. Any time you can close a tournament, it helps going forward.”

Spieth held his nerve to drain a 4m putt to upstage Cameron Smith and Ashley Hall in a three-way playoff at Royal Sydney last December and said he recalled that clutch moment as he faced adversity down the stretch on Sunday.

“The more you do it, the more scenarios you’ve gone through, and so the more you’re prepared for it and that helps,” he said.

“Last year I wasn’t putting great and made a big putt on 16 (at Royal Sydney), and then a nice par putt on 17 — and then went in the playoff, after I couldn’t make anything all day, similar to today. I thought that was important to look back on and think I didn’t have my best putting stuff, which is normally what has won me tournaments, but I was still able to close the deal and I’ve taken that into this year.”

Adam Scott hopes the new Pied Piper of Australia’s fairways continues returning Down Under “forever”.

“It’s awesome. It’s really great for the tournament, great for Australian golf. I love the fact that Jordan enjoys coming down,” Scott said.

Spieth, who turns 24 on Thursday, praised his longtime Australian swing coach Cameron McCormick and his caddie Michael Greller. AAP