Spieth expects to get even better with the ‘monkey off my back’
Jordan Spieth has got the monkey off his back and now intends to replace it with another Green Jacket. And after the American’s comeback victory on Sunday, few here in Augusta – otherwise known as “Spiethland” – are prepared to bet against him.
Eddie Pepperell, the European Tour winner, is so convinced that Spieth will win a second Masters title on Sunday that he took to Twitter to announce that he will play a Tour event topless if Spieth fails.
Spieth may have waited 1,315 days for his win at the Texas Open, he may be world No38, but such is his history at Augusta that he has been backed into second favourite at 11-1, with only Dustin Johnson, the world No 1 and defending champion, rated more likely.
Seeing as Spieth has finished 21st and 46th in his last two Masters appearances, those odds may seem absurd, but it should be remembered those mediocre displays were recorded when he was in the midst of a slump that reached its nadir with him falling to 92nd in the rankings less than three months ago.
And now that he has emerged – compiling three top fives in the five events before Texas – the fact Spieth racked up a first, two seconds and a third in his first five Masters appears
very relevant indeed. Spieth arrived on Monday looking ominously cool and measured despite his performance at TPC San Antonio.
“I wanted that monkey off my back and it’s about refocusing here and taking the next step,” he said. “I wasn’t as emotional as I thought I would be and it’s actually been a lot easier for me over the last 12 hours to look forward versus looking back. That’s exciting. I feel there’s quite a few things that I need to improve on and get better.
“I felt that over the weekend, it wasn’t the best my swing felt, it wasn’t the best my stroke felt. I can produce better golf shots consistently and it was pretty awesome to think there’s a next level that I’ve been at that I’m still searching for.”
Phil Mickelson was the last to win the Masters after also prevailing the week before and, 15 years later, Spieth is open to the idea of emulating his Ryder Cup team-mate.
“I certainly wouldn’t mind that, if that’s what you’re asking,” he said. “But I also like to step back and think I’m 27 and a lot of people’s careers get started at 27 in this sport. Phil was 33 when he won his first major. I have three already and I like the progress I’m making. Will that make a difference this week? I don’t know. But I’m going to try to be just a little better than I was last week.”