“Go get that!”
With those three words, Jordan Spieth instructed caddie Michael Greller to fetch his ball from the hole after he sank a 50-foot eagle putt at the 15th green at Royal Birkdale that propelled him to victory at the 2017 British Open.
The Spieth legend grew that day and his words became more famous than the dramatic putt he holed. Spieth captured his third major and third leg of the career Grand Slam, and while the wait to join the exclusive Grand Slam club continues, Spieth never tires of talking about his Open Championship heroics.
In advance of the 151st British Open at Royal Liverpool in Hoylake, England, Spieth, a Rolex testimonee, was kind enough to participate in this wide-ranging Q &A through his partnership with Rolex, including those about winning the Open in 2017, thoughts on links golf and more.
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Q: It was a thrilling conclusion to The Open at Royal Birkdale in 2017 and you demonstrated remarkable resilience and skill in your final round to win. Can you tell us about what was going through your mind during those final moments?
JS: At The Open, you typically tee off late but the coverage starts early. It is actually beneficial to watch the coverage to see the pin locations and identify what to target or avoid. I don’t watch it with sound and a leaderboard flashes every 90 seconds so it is good to keep an eye on that. I had a three-shot lead – a position that you want to be in but it made it more difficult to sleep on rather than being tied.
I just remember wanting to get the first tee shot away. It was a 3-wood. and it was out of balance to the right with the wind off to the left. It was just an awkward tee shot; a really challenging one. I was so anxious to hit that first tee shot and then to come sit down and wait to play the rest of the round. I hit a good shot which actually ended up in some tall grass but I hit it on the line that I wanted.
For some reason, I was not comfortable for the majority of that round, and then suddenly I kicked it into gear there on the 14th hole. That was when I really settled in, I lost the lead and realized that I still had time left. I did not feel the pressure of having this lead and not playing well like I did on the first 13 holes. I just had a really great swing on a 6 iron, and I remember that shot as being probably the best iron shot that I have ever hit. It almost went it.
I ended up making the three-four footer for birdie, then eagled the next and birdied the next two. I arrived at the 18th green after what felt like an eternity of a round which I finished 1 under and maintained by three-shot lead to finish 12 under.
Q: After winning the Open Championship in 2017, you joined fellow Rolex Testimonee and legend of the game Jack Nicklaus as the only two golfers in the Masters era to win three different Majors before the age of 24. Can you describe the feeling of what it is like to be recognized alongside some of the game’s greats?
JS: This is something that is very special. I did not really think of the historical significance of the achievement at the time because it was such a crazy final round at The Open. It also occurred in the middle of a season, where I soared into first place in the FedEx Cup rankings, so there was a lot going on. I only really looked back at my achievements during the autumn, and during this time I started to process the historical relevance of it. To be placed in a category as or linked with Jack Nicklaus is pretty monumental as it means that you achieved incredible results at a young age, or remained consistent throughout your career. Jack Nicklaus is not only a legend on the golf course, holding the record for the most Major championships – a record that may never get caught, but he is also such a gentleman off the course.
Q: How special was it to play in the 150th Open at St Andrews in 2022?
JS: At the Champions dinner on the Tuesday night, we were awarded a medal for the 150th anniversary and it was so special to be recognized as a Champion Golfer of the year. That kicked off an extremely special week, where we were able to play in the Champions Challenge on the Wednesday on the little loop. The Old Course is just so much fun to play. The conditions can vary a lot. When the wind does not blow, you can make a lot of birdies but when it does, you have to hold on.
It is just pure links golf, where you get to play right into town, and those last few holes are extremely special. You get to play them in so many different ways and it always seems to produce an interesting finish.
Q: Do you enjoy playing links golf? How does your preparation have to change and how hard is it to adapt to playing in the different conditions?
JS: I have always loved playing links golf. I fell in love with links golf when I was 14 years old when I came over to England for the first time and witnessed it. I love the imagination that is needed on the course and particularly around the greens and with the different flights you get to hit with the golf ball. Even though they are normally relatively flat pieces of land, you have to play with so much feel in order to be successful – especially as the conditions get worse or change. You generally get to experience all four seasons in one day whilst playing and this is something that you do not get anywhere else.
I have noticed that because of my love for it, whether a golf course fits my eye or not, I find a way to find a shot that makes sense to a hole. I find some comfort in links golf, and I look forward to continuing to try to be more successful over there. As far as preparation goes, this last year was the first year I played the Scottish Open the week before The Open. I found that beneficial so I will probably look to continue to do that over the next few seasons.
Q: The 2023 Open will be held at Royal Liverpool. What are your memories of playing there in 2014?
JS: It has a bit more air then a typical links course. I felt that it was extremely beneficial to be over and have the chance to adjust to different conditions like the weather and time difference. I have always found that the best preparation is being able to play and win at a tournament the week before or close to an event. It allows you to build up confidence and to start the tournament with total trust in your abilities without having over-worked them.
Q: What are your favourite memories from playing at The Open?
JS: My first experience of The Open was at Muirfield, and it still remains a great memory. I didn’t get in until the Sunday night from the John Deere Classic. I was originally not expecting to be in the tournament but then all of a sudden, I was on a plane with no long-sleeved shirts, heading over to Scotland. I was hoping that someone would lend me the necessary clothes for me to play a practice round on the Tuesday. It was my first Open Championship experience.
I had some family and friends over as well and that was a fun week because I had just won my first professional event. I also was able to enjoy The Open without much expectation. I was able to go to the pub, explore the town, try the local food and witness the grandstands that make The Open so special.
In terms of other memories, three editions really stand out and those are 2013, 2015 and 2017. 2015 was the year that I had a chance at The Old Course and being in contention at such a historic course is so unique and special. I was going for three in a row at the time after winning the Masters Tournament and the U.S. Open that year.
Then obviously, the one at Birkdale in 2017 having closed that one out. When I think back to my favourite Open Championship experience, I actually look at all three pretty equally.
Q: Who has been the biggest influence on your golf career?
JS: Tiger Woods has been the biggest influence on my golf career. My dad has had a big impact on me as well. He was the one who encouraged me to start playing the game, provided me with the opportunities and helped me set goals. In terms of Tiger, his prime years coincided with when I was really starting to love the game and was becoming really focused on trying to be the best that I could be.
Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
JS: It is making me think of a Harvey Penick quote that said Justin Leonard said: “Speak softly and carry a big stick — you will go far”. That is a good piece of advice, but I do not follow it as closely as I should.
Q: What would you tell your younger self back in 2012 when you turned professional?
JS: I would say do not rush. Try and enjoy everything that is happening; try not to rush ahead – even though I left school in 2012 and turned professional so in some sense that is rushing. After that point, I would say just take your time.
Q: How do you like to relax and spend time away from the golf course?
JS: Well, now that I am chasing around a one year old, any free time that I get, I just want to be spending time with him. I enjoy swimming and attending sports games. We have a lot of professional teams in the Dallas area and I am a big supporter of all of them. I try to go to as many games as I can when I’m off.
I support the Cowboys, the Dallas Mavericks, Texas Rangers and the Dallas Stars. I also enjoy going down to Austin, where I went to school, and attending those games and spend time down there. I am more of an active relaxer. I do not sit down for five hours at a time. I tend to want to play pickle ball or to go swimming.
