In-form Spieth happy to play the sage
AUGUSTA: Jordan Spieth was a baby-faced rookie when he tied for second at Augusta National last year but on Tuesday he oozed confidence like a veteran while dispensing advice to three Masters debutants.
Spieth, who has been the game’s hottest player over the past six months, was delighted to pass on a few tips about course strategy to his fellow Americans Morgan Hoffmann, Brooks Koepka and Byron Meth as they played a practice round together.
“Three first-timers today, those rookies,” the World No 4 told reporters with a broad grin. “No, we had a really good time. Just picking each other’s brain, talking about how great the place is, how perfect and how pure the course is.
“Morgan and Brooks are both capable of contending here and both have the game for it. Brooks, obviously win- ning (the PGA Tour’s Phoenix Open) earlier this year; and Morgan, a great talent.”
Spieth finished three shots behind champion Bubba Watson at last year’s Masters after leading by two strokes after seven holes in the final round after succumbing to the intense pressure of a major down the stretch. “That was definitely the highest amount of pressure I’ve ever felt,” he said. “I played pretty much the entire round feeling different than I’ve ever felt on the golf course.
“I enjoyed it, but at the same time when you’re feeling that kind of pressure, it’s hard to get comfortable ... so it was very disappointing, because I felt like the golf course was going to play into my hands.” – Reuters