Spieth staying focused
World number two Jordan Spieth says no thoughts of potentially completing a calendar Grand Slam entered his mind during the first round of the Open Championship on Thursday.
The American has already won the Masters Tournament and US Open this year and is playing to win the year’s third major on the Old Course at St Andrews
“Never even came into my mind and it probably won’t the rest of the week,” he told the PGA Tour website after shooting a five-under 67.
Spieth’s first round score left him tied for eighth place along with compatriots Jordan Niebrugge and Kevin Nah and South Africans Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen.
The 21-year-old started strong at the windy St Andrews, shooting birdies on the first two holes and adding three more on holes five to seven.
He struggled slightly on the back nine; birdying the 11th before bogeying the 13th and 17th and finishing well with another birdie on the last hole.
Spieth was happy with his efforts on the front nine and content with his performance after the turn.
“Very pleased. It was a good start. (I) just tried to hang on there (on the back nine). Even par was a good score on the back.”
Spieth trails compatriot and current leader Dustin Johnson by two shots. Trailing Johnson by a shot are Americans Robert Streb and Zach Johnson, South Africa’s Retief Goosen, Scotland’s Paul Lawrie, England’s Danny Willet and Australia’s Jason Day.
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