Jordan Spieth does not compare himself to the greats of the game, despite adding a third Major to his CV on Sunday at Royal Birkdale.
READ: Spieth’s masterful run-in saves the day
The 23-year-old Texan battled a wayward driver, Royal Birkdale and a worthy adversary in Matt Kuchar, and came out smiling on the other side to be crowned the Champion Golfer of the Year for 2017.
The win means Spieth will tee it up at the US PGA Championship at Quail Hollow next month, with the chance to beat Rory McIlroy to the career grand slam. If he does so, he would beat 14-time Major winner Tiger Woods to the mark.
‘I don’t compare myself (to Woods or Nicklaus),’ Spieth explained after joining Nicklaus as a winner of three different Majors before the age of 24.
‘And I don’t think comparisons are appropriate or necessary. To be in that company, no doubt, is absolutely incredible. And I certainly appreciate it.
‘But I’m very careful as to what that means going forward because what those guys have done has transcended the sport. And in no way, shape or form do I think I’m anywhere near that. It’s a good start, but there is a long way to go.’
Sunday’s win will live long in the memory after his struggles on the first four holes – he played them in +3 – and a wild drive on 13 – he took an unplayable and played his third from the driving range – and the way he came home.
‘This is as much of a high as I’ve ever experienced in my golfing life,’ Spieth said. ‘And I’m going to enjoy it more than I’ve enjoyed anything that I’ve accomplished in the past.’
Spieth paid tribute to runner-up Kuchar, who was two under par for his last four holes, but still came up well short.
‘Matt didn’t lose the tournament at all today,’ Spieth said. ‘He played well down the stretch. I just had my long putts go in, (and) his didn’t. That was simply it.
‘I believe Matt Kuchar will win a major championship and I believe that he’ll do it sometime soon.
‘He’s a great champion and a great individual to look up to. When I talk about having great role models on the PGA Tour, he’s at the top of the class. And you’re able to see it with how he handles that kind of situation right after just a crazy day.’
Photo: Getty Images
