Unhappy Tiger is cut to the quick
around. If I can just clean it up just the slightest little bit, I could be off and running.”
While Koepka has saved his best for the Majors, former world No1 Spieth has not won a tournament since the 2017 Open and the world No38 recorded his first top-10 finish since Carnoustie at the USPGA.
He has been working on “drastic” swing changes but it is a work in progress and he hit only five fairways in the first two rounds – and found himself repeatedly hacking out of knee-high rough and still saving par. “I’ve spent a decent amount of time in some pretty bad spots this season, so maybe that’s helping a little bit,” said the Texan with a smile.
“My shots out of trouble today were really, really nice. I hit maybe two or three fairways today. I posted a score that was pretty incredible from where I played my second shots from. At some point I’d like to be playing off the short grass this week.” But Spieth’s putting radar is tuned in again as shown by nailing an eagle putt from off the green at seventh.
“The putter has felt great now for the last couple of months – back to where I want to see it,” he said. “The hole started to look bigger.”
And he the experience of winning three Majors. “It’s something very important to draw back on,” said the 25-year-old. “I need to be looking at the positives has of the history tournament and my history in Major championships versus focusing on anything else.
“If I can kind of walk tall knowing that there’s very few people who have been in this situation contending at the weekend in Majors as many times as I have, that’s certainly a confidence boost for myself.
“So that’s going to be the mentality. I’m in contention. I feel good. If I can drive the ball better over the weekend, then I should have a chance with how I’d feel on and
around the greens.” of this TIGER WOODS admitted he needed a break from golf after missing the cut at Royal Portrush with disappointing rounds of 78 and 70.
The 15-time Major winner complained of a bad back after failing to make the weekend on six over par, saying the pain had restricted his swing.
Woods, who had back fusion surgery in 2017 to save his career, said: “I just want to go home.
“I kind of grinded my way around the golf course.
“It’s more frustrating than anything else because this is a Major championship and I love playing in these events. I love the atmosphere. I love the stress of playing in a Major.
“Now I’m going to take a couple of weeks off and get ready for the FedExCup playoffs.
“Last year I almost stole the whole FedExCup at the very end. If it wasn’t for Justin Rose’s little break at the bunker it could have been interesting.
“So I’ll get ready for those events and then have a break. I just want some time off.”