The unpredictable nature of Jordan Spieth’s game was on full display during the opening round of The Open Championship. Despite facing adversity early in the round, the 2017 Open Champion showcased resilience, bouncing back from a brutal shank and contending with an impressive performance.
After a solid start with two birdies in the opening holes, Spieth faced a challenging situation on the par-4 8th hole. A wayward tee shot landed him in thick rough, leading to an unfavourable lie. Unfortunately, his second shot resulted in a shank, going far right off the blade. It was a rare occurrence for the skilled golfer, leaving him with a double-bogey six – his only double of the day.
Admitting that the shank shook him up a bit, Spieth exemplified his mental strength by quickly refocusing on the remainder of the round. Recovering from the setback, he managed to get up and down from the bunker on the par-3 9th hole, putting the nightmare of the 8th behind him. Finding his groove on the inward nine, he notched birdies on the 11th, par-5 15th, and the challenging 16th, bringing his score back to 3-under.
As Spieth approached the end of his round, a disappointing bogey on the par-5 18th resulted in his second six of the day. However, given the initial setback, Spieth’s resilience was evident once again. Ultimately carding a 2-under 69 for the round, his performance showcased his ability to overcome adversity and salvage a solid score.
Reflecting on his round, Spieth expressed his satisfaction with his performance. Despite previous results not reflecting his game’s strength, he approached The Open Championship without undue pressure, appreciating his affinity for links golf in the United Kingdom. The 2017 Open Champion, who emerged victorious at Royal Birkdale, drew parallels between Birkdale and Royal Liverpool, highlighting the strategic challenges each course presents.
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