SPIETH: NO AWAY FEARS FOR OUR YOUNG GUNS
US STAR SAYS PLAYING IN EUROPE IS NOT A PROBLEM FOR HIS TEAM-MATES
Three-time major champion Jordan Spieth insists the majority of the United States Ryder Cup team do not suffer from the same scar tissue which veterans Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson may have.
The holders are looking to register a first win on foreign soil in 25 years, during which time Mickelson (five times) and Woods (four) have always finished on the losing side away from home.
Of the six other players in Jim Furyk’s team who have travelled overseas for the event, Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Webb Simpson, Jordan Spieth and Bubba Watson have racked up just eight appearances dating back only eight years.
However, Spieth believes the seven 20-somethings who will play at Le Golf National can bring a freshness as they do not carry the same emotional baggage as their more experienced colleagues.
“As far as our team’s concerned, there’s only a couple guys that have any kind of scar tissue on playing on away soil, and those guys have won a combined 120-something times and account for 19 majors,” Spieth said.
“I mean, we’re not worried about the two older guys on the team that have scar tissue.
“The rest of us are simply here and looking at this week as an opportunity for us to show that the golfers from the United States can beat the golfers from Europe and we can do it over here.
“That’s the goal. I’ve won one and lost one.
“Whether it’s here, there, the point is, whoever makes more putts, whoever shoots lower scores typically wins these matches, and our team is extremely solid and have been playing very well.
“So if we stay out of our own way and continue to play the way our team has been playing, we believe that will be good enough and take care of itself, and no other thought is anywhere else.”
Baggage or not, Woods’ return to the winners’ circle on Sunday at the Tour Championship after a five-year drought can only be a positive for America, regardless of his Ryder Cup record.
And what has impressed Spieth even more is that he can see the 42-year-old has yet to return to his very top level.
“I think even he would tell you he’s not necessarily at his best he’s ever been,” he said. “But just back in form, good enough to win, which is kind of scary that it’s not even his best; still winning golf tournaments.
“I mean, it seemed somewhat normal but knowing that he’s on your side when you tee it up, and he’s hitting the ball as well as he is, and the intimidation factor he can bring is measurable.”
‘ There’s only a couple of guys that have any kind of scar tissue on playing on away soil.’