Player gives Spieth the edge

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Gary Player says new world number one Jordan Spieth may be the best putter he's ever seen.

Player, a nine-time major champion, hailed the arrival of golf's new big three – Spieth, Jason Day and Rory McIlroy – but appeared to give the current world number one the edge over the other two contenders due to his putting prowess.

"Rory McIlroy and Jason Day have the best swings of the ‘Big Three’ at the moment, but Spieth might be as good a putter as I’ve seen,” the South African legend said at a press conference in Dubai recently.

“Tiger takes a lot of beating, but day in, day out this man is such a great putter.

“It’s going to be fascinating to see who does the best among Spieth, McIlroy and Day. But that old saying the Scottish people came up with, ‘you drive for show and putt for dough’, is so damn true.”

Player seems to be suggesting that as long as Spieth maintains his superiority on the greens, he will continue to have the beating of his two rivals.

Despite the arrival of a new generation, Player still hopes that Tiger Woods will return as well – although he admits the 14-time major champ faces an uphill battle.

“Tiger gave golf as much a boost as I’ve ever seen in my life and it is vitally important that he comes back,” he added. “But what a challenge he’s got on his hands after his various knee and back operations. Fifty per cent of me says he will come back, but 50 per cent of me says I have my doubts.”

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