SM
Real Madrid vs AC Milan: 25 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Jordan Spieth: 'I have shaken the monkey off my back'

:Headline: Jordan Spieth: 'I have shaken the monkey off my back':
The 2015 Masters champion goes into this week's event at Augusta on the back of victory at the Valero Texas Open.
Sports Mole

Former Masters champion Jordan Spieth has shaken the "monkey off his back" following a first win in almost four years but feels he must improve to reach the level which brought him three major titles.

A loss of form saw the former world number one slump to 92nd in the rankings as recently as February but since then he has recorded four straight top-15 finishes and a victory in the Valero Texas Open on Sunday, his first since the 2017 Open.

Phil Mickelson in 2006 was the last player to win on the PGA Tour and immediately follow up with a victory in the Masters, but Spieth's renaissance and superb record at Augusta National has made him joint-second favourite to claim a second green jacket behind defending champion Dustin Johnson.

Jordan Spieth gives his wife, Annie Verret, a hug after winning the Valero Texas Open (Michael Thomas/AP)

The 27-year-old finished second on his Masters debut in 2014, won the title in 2015 and was runner-up the following year after squandering a five-shot lead with nine holes to play.

A relatively modest 11th place in 2017 was his worst finish in his first five appearances and in 2018 he led after 18 holes for the third time in four years before almost snatching the green jacket away from Patrick Reed with a closing 64.

Spieth admitted he was surprisingly unemotional following Sunday's victory, adding: "I thought that I'd have a lot of memories of the downs and the struggles and then the climb back, progress and momentum over the last few months – to have all that kind of hit me.

"I was happy that it didn't hit me that hard, that it felt more normal, that it felt like this is where I'm supposed to be, this is who I am. Sometimes you lose confidence and there's a little chink in the armour here and there and that's what I'd experienced.

Jordan Spieth kisses the claret jug after winning The 2017 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale (Richard Sellers/PA)

"I wanted that monkey off my back of it being a while out of the winner's circle. It's about refocusing here and taking the next step.

"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. There are times and ways I can take a step forward and produce better golf shots consistently and it was pretty awesome when I look back and think there's a next level that I've been at that I'm still searching for right now."

The fairytale version of events would of course see Spieth complete his return to form with a second Masters title this week, although the American is taking nothing for granted.

"I certainly wouldn't mind that this week, if that's what you're asking," he said with a smile. "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 (Mickelson) was 31 or something (33) when he won his first major.

"I like the progress that I'm making. I don't feel like I have the control of all facets of the game that I want to have yet, but I feel like I'm working in the right direction.

"Will that make a difference this week? Don't know. But I'm going to try to be just a little better than I was last week."

body check tags ::

amp_article__441986 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-04-05 18:47:56:
html db last update - 2021-04-05 18:47:56 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Jordan Spieth

Share this article now:
BD
Read Next:
Andy North: 'Bryson DeChambeau could lap the field at Masters'
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Jordan Spieth Phil Mickelson Dustin Johnson Golf
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Andy North: 'Bryson DeChambeau could lap the field at Masters'
Rashford upgrade? Man United identify £76m winger as 'priority' signing
Real star to switch to Liverpool? Reds 'ready to swoop' for £100m Madrid man

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Champions League 2024-25: How many points do teams need to qualify for knockouts?

1

CL

Man United 'submit £13m bid' for ex-Chelsea player now at Barcelona

2

MU

Preview: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elena Rybakina - prediction, head-to-head, tournament so far

NEW

3

PA

'Amorim left unconvinced' - Man United star heading towards exit in January?

NEW

4

'L

"Trent replacement": Five Leverkusen players for Liverpool to watch

5

&R

Arteta wants more: Arsenal boss eyeing 'superstar' winger signing in January

6

AW

European battle: Bayern 'hold informal talks' with £50m Liverpool target

7

EB

Team News: Brugge vs. Aston Villa injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

8

TN

Man City's Ortega considering move to European Invincibles?

9

MC

Liverpool 'make decision' on January Chiesa exit after injury-hit start

10

L'


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .