Spieth cracks top ten

European Tour

After a second place finish at the Masters, Jordan Spieth has become the youngest American to reach the top ten in the world rankings.

The tied second place finish with Sweden’s Jonas Blixt on Sunday sees Spieth rise to number nine in the world this week.

The 20-year-old finished runner-up behind Bubba Watson and he now switches his focus to the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links, which tees off on Thursday.

“It definitely left me hungry and ready to play golf again,” said the Texan.

“And ready to eventually get back there again, which is, I think, the only way to kind of redeem myself.

“There’s nothing that’s haunting me from last week. I feel like I played really well to not shoot an over-par round on that course and not make more than a bogey for four days the way that course was playing.”

Speith, who has just one PGA tour win, participated in a pro-am round on Wednesday at Harbour Town. The youngster was repeatedly congratulated by players, caddies and spectators for his Masters achievement.

“Man, I’ve never seen somebody get so many congratulations for losing,” quipped is caddie, Michael Greller.

During the round, an errand wedge shot from his amateur partner on the 18th green hit him flush on his calf at the back of his leg.

“He felt really bad, but I kept telling him that I’m fine,” he revealed, after he knocked back a couple painkillers in the locker room.

Meanwhile, there is an added incentive to do well this week, as he is paired up with Tom Watson and Davis Love III, the current and former US Ryder Cup captains.

“A huge goal of mine has always been, my whole life, to make a Ryder Cup team,” added the two time US Junior Amateur winner, a feat only he and Tiger Woods have achieved.

“So playing with the captain, I’m sure there will be some extra nerves there trying to impress him.”

However, it would appear that the Dallas-born player’s escapades at Augusta have already attracted the attention of the Ryder Cup captain.

“He’s very mature and he has a good sense of who he is,” said Watson, an eight time Major winner.

“I like that about him.”

Spieth will battle it out against seven of the world’s top 25 golfers at Harbour Town, which includes world number six Matt Kuchar who tied for fifth at the Masters.

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