Spieth’s sweet 2017
American convinced he will be ‘the man’ this year
NEW YORK: Jordan Spieth’s victory in last year’s British Open had boosted his self-belief, convinced him to ignore any critical nay-sayers and gave him the confidence to become “the man” in golf in 2018, even if Tiger Woods was planning a comeback.
The 24-year-old Spieth, who clinched his third Major title at Royal Birkdale, recognised that he is now under a relentless spotlight, but the three-shot win over fellow American Matt Kuchar had helped release that pressure.
“The Open Championship just did wonders for me, individually, not only my view of myself but being the man in the arena,” the world No. 2 told reporters in Hawaii ahead of today’s first round at the Tournament of Champions.
“I’m the one out there putting it on the line every week. I’m going to fail and learn, I’m going to succeed. But I’m the one in the arena.
“In general, there are going to be critics and people who disagree with the way you do things but I think I’m in a great place and starting 2018.
“I’m ready for anything. I’m ready for failure, success and everything in between.”
With three Major victories and a couple of other close calls under his belt, Spieth knows he will face stiff competition in 2018 from fellow 20- somethings like compatriot Justin Thomas, the defending champion at Kapalua.
“The unknowns are very exciting right now with the amount of depth and talent at a younger age, mixed with guys in their 30s, No. 1 in the world DJ (Dustin Johnson),” Spieth said.
“Obviously the major question, what’s it going to be like with Tiger coming back,” he added in reference to 14-times Major champion Woods, who hopes to play a full schedule after a back fusion operation last April.
“It’s a pretty special time to be a
part of professional golf.”
Spieth and Thomas are among a small 34-man field that includes the top five players in the world – Johnson, Spieth, Thomas, Jon Rahm and Hideki Matsuyama.
There was more reason for Spieth to remember 2017.
Spieth confirmed on Tuesday that he proposed to longtime girlfriend Anne Verret, and while he kept the details to a minimum, she said yes.
Were the nerves greater at
Birkdale or Chambers Bay, or when he proposed?
“I was probably most nervous at the British,” he said.
“I was pretty confident this past winter. But yeah, it was a good offseason. ... I forget how I felt the back nine of Chambers. British is still fresh, engagement is still fresh. I’ll probably at some point end up forgetting (nerves) at the British, but I won’t probably forget the engagement.” — AP