SPIETH: I GAVE BACK THE TROPHY — JUST FOR A WEEK!
There have been many times during his reign as Open champion when Jordan Spieth has relished all the traditions of office.
The ceremony that took place yesterday, however, was certainly not one of them. ‘I never knew there was a presentation to hand back the trophy,’ he smiled. ‘It wasn’t an enjoyable experience. It’s done now and I hope the trophy will only be out of my possession for a week! The traditions of The Open are very special, even if I was on the wrong end of that one.’
Spieth, 24, is enduring a miserable run of form that has seen him fail to muster a single top-20 finish since coming third at the Masters. his response was to take the last three weeks off,
and recharge his batteries. ‘It was clear that it was time to take a step away,’ he said.
‘I had got very technical and very into making everything perfect instead of the way I normally play, and I feel like the break has done me a world of good.
‘I went to Seattle, where my little sister was cheering at the US Special Olympics, and I got to walk down the 18th hole at Chambers Bay with Michael (Greller, his caddie).
‘It was cool to relive those memories of winning the US Open there three years ago.’
The Texan worked off the jetlag in Paris at the weekend, playing the Ryder Cup course with US captain Jim Furyk.
On paper, his chances of a successful title defence appear slim, but Spieth remains bullish.
‘Is my ball-striking as consistent as it has been? Probably not,’ he said, ‘but it doesn’t have to be to win The Open because it requires so much feel. If I play to the right spots and give myself chances, it can be enough.’