Jordan Spieth today won his first Major, less than six months after he won the Australian Open.
Jordan Spieth today won his first Major, less than six months after he won the Australian Open.
In 2014, young gun Spieth delighted Aussie golf fans when he
won the Australian Open at The Australian Golf Club.
On a challenging layout, Spieth was flawless in the final
round firing an 8-under 63, on a day when the scoring average was 1-over 72.
That day he recorded the lowest ever four round tournament
total, 13-under 271, for the Australian Open when it’s played at The
Australian. The prestigious Sydney course has hosted the tournament on 17 occasions
including the inaugural tournament in 1904.
"I think the Australian Open may have been the most
important tournament that I’ve ever played in because at the time, it had been
maybe a year and a half since winning the John Deere in that playoff where I
kind of squeaked in, luckily," said Spieth prior to teeing off in The Masters
this week.
"Going there to an
elite field with the world No. 1 player and obviously with the local favourites…And
then with a venue like The Australian."
"I just had a level of patience that I had not had when I
was in contention prior to that. Didn’t let anything get to us; the roars
in front, the scoreboard changes. And shot arguably the best round I’ve
ever played when tied for the lead."
"So it was a huge, huge boost for me and it allowed me to
close the tournament, close it the right way and feel comfortable with the lead
when I had it the next week and since then."
Prior to this week, Spieth had a further two wins and two
runner-up finishes on the PGA TOUR since his victory on the PGA Tour of
Australasia.
But the biggest moment of his short career came today when
he won his first Major.
In claiming the Green Jacket we witnessed Spieth break a
number of tournament records, he also equalled Tiger Woods for the four round
tournament total record.
"It’s the most incredible week of my life. It’s a dream
come true. I’m still kind of in shock a little bit," said the 21-year-old
before receiving his Green Jacket from Bubba Watson in the Butler Cabin.
Spieth isn’t the only player who has gone onto great things
after winning on the PGA Tour of Australasia.
In 2013 Rory McIlroy turned up to Royal Sydney after a lacklustre
year and he walked away with the Stonehaven Cup.
McIlroy went onto win the Claret Jug and Wanamaker Trophy,
the reward for two Major victories in 2014.
McIlroy returned last year the World Number 1 ready to
defend his title only to be out played by a young Texan who was destined for
greatness.
Australia has been long renowned for producing prodigious
golfing talent, players like Kel Nagle, Peter Thomson, Greg Norman and Adam
Scott, come to mind but it seems it is also the breeding ground for
international players looking to build some confidence ahead of a new season of
Major Championships.
Let’s see who will come out to play in 2015!