Spieth on course for Open title defence

GOLF superstar Jordan Spieth has blamed some rust and nerves for his slow start to his Australian Open title defence.

The three-time major champion was seven shots behind leader Cameron Davis after yesterday’s opening round of one-under-par 70 in difficult afternoon winds at The Australian in Sydney.

Spieth had an uncharacteristic five bogeys in his round but was far from dismayed, rather looking forward to the usually calmer morning conditions today to make up ground.

The American star was teeing up for the first time in almost two months since the Presidents Cup.

“This was actually the longest I have had between tournaments since maybe college so I was a little anxious to get started,” Spieth said.

“I kind of had the nerves to begin and my short game was a bit rusty and then I started to pick it up and play pretty well.”

The 24-year-old world No.2 is renowned for his mental toughness and was bemused to find himself frequently making bogey right after a birdie.

“Yeah, it’s rare,” he said. “I take a lot of pride in bounceback stats, after a bad hole, coming back and making a birdie.

“I did that, but then I was on the other end of it. Fortunately, we finished on 18 with a birdie. I can’t bogey the 19th.”

Spieth believed wind conditions would again play a big part today.

“Those (morning) guys will get what we had this afternoon and it’ll certainly be more difficult, so being seven back isn’t really seven back, given the difference in the (morning and afternoon) waves,” he said.

“My goal is to shoot three or four (under par) per round, and so I’ve got to make up a couple.”