JOR DROPPING
Fear and caddie pep talk help Spieth ‘get away with murder’ LEADER SURVIVES MELTDOWN IN DRAMATIC WIN
JORDAN SPIETH said he “got away with murder” after his miracle bogey inspired him to a stunning Open title.
The American admitted he was haunted by last year’s Masters meltdown as he blew his three-shot lead and then slashed his
drive wildly on the 13th. But after taking a drop from the practice range, he conjured a miracle escape to lose only one shot – and then went birdie, eagle, birdie, birdie to beat Matt Kuchar (left) by three.
Spieth, who got a pep-talk from caddie Michael Greller as he threatened to fall apart, said: “I don’t know how I made five – I felt I got away with murder.
“I recalled when I was last leading a Major on Sunday. I knew if it wasn’t to go my way I’d be questioned about both.” Spieth thanked Greller (below) for reminding him of a recent trip to California where he spent time with sporting legends Michael Jordan and Michael Phelps. Spieth said: “Michael said ‘Do you remember Cabo? You’re that calibre of an athlete. But you need to believe that right now’.” Caddie Greller said: “That is the greatest bogey I have ever seen, by a mile. That was the turning point.”
Spieth becomes only the second man after Jack Nicklaus to win three different Majors before his 24th birthday.