The Genesis of golf is here in Scotland so it’d mean a lot to win national championship before a Major at Home of Golf
History is calling for fired-up Spieth
Jordan Spieth came to Scotland to write his name into history at the Home of Golf.
By the time he leaves a week today, he might have done it twice.
Spieth’s main target is of course winning The Open at St Andrews and adding a second Claret Jug to his glittering CV.
But when he heads to the Old Course tonight for the 150th Championship, the 27-year-old might also have the Genesis Scottish Open silverware in his luggage.
Spieth is in contention at the Renaissance ahead of the final day. The Texan, who is three shots behind leader Xander Schauffele, knows the significance of a potential triumph.
The American superstar insists that any player worth his salt wants a win where golf was born.
Spieth said: “My Open was in England, so it wasn’t in Scotland.
“Links golf is arguably my favourite kind of golf and I don’t know of any country that has more fantastic links courses than Scotland. Obviously, being the Home of Golf, it is the history in golf.
“It would be meaningful to win Scotland’s national championship but the fact that it’s now a co-sanctioned DP World Tour, PGA Tour and Rolex Series Event, it seems like it’s one of the biggest international events of the year.”
Spieth’s outstanding third- day 66 gives him hope of securing a perfect build-up to St Andrews.
He scoffs at the old cliche about it not being ideal to win the week before a Major.
Phil Mickelson did the Scot t ish Open/ Open double at Castle Stuart and Muirfield in 2013 and Spieth believes grabbing the trophy tonight would be an ideal boost.
The 2017 Open winner at Royal Birkdale said: “My goal was to have a chance on Sunday. It always is the week before a Major.
“There’s no better prep for a Major than winning the week before. Being in contention gets as much prep done as possible.
“What gives St Andrews the magic? The history but also the back nine playing back into town.
“I know that it is relatively common for links courses in Scotland but it’s not very common for what we normally see.
“Hitting over a hotel on one hole and trying to keep it off the cars on the next hole.
“It’s probably one of most relaxing first tee shots and you think 18 would be the same.
“Then you get to 18 and when there’s something on the line, you’re trying to position it perfectly. It’s its own unique test.
“It can be the easiest Major championship venue that we play but it can be one of the hardest given the weather.
“This year looks like it might get really firm and fast. The last time we played there, we were delayed because of wind
and I don’t think we’ll have that this time.
“Most importantly, it’s playing in this wind and off this turf. Getting fully acclimated to the speed and slopes of the greens and watching how much the wind affects the ball.
“I have a pretty good game on how far the ball is going to f ly. Having not come over here ahead of time, a lot of times you’re trying to make that up in three short days.
“So it’s nice to be over here for a while and just feel like I can go the course next week.”
Spieth concluded his Saturday by reiterating his commitment to the PGA Tour, having quashed LIV rumours on social media the previous evening.
He said: “Maybe I had not been vocal enough. So I set the record straight.
“It kind of stinks that anyone has to necessarily do it but I didn’t think it was really that big of a deal.
“I love competing and contending in these PGA Tour events.”
Beforehand, Spieth had shown why he’s so valuable to the established set-up with some glorious play which included a 110-yard hole- out for an eagle two on the 15th.
It was another for his col lection of pictureperfect shots.
He added: “Given how my early career went, most of my shots have been recorded. Not to say a lot of professionals out here have not hit plenty of shots you may not have been able to have on video.
“I try to believe that I have a knack for getting the ball in the hole.
“I think the ability to try to find a way to shoot lower scores and willing it in has some effect. I’ve had my fair share of breaks.
“The ones that go in with the right speed are the ones that I walk away even happier with.”