Jordan Spieth in focus ahead of British Open

St Andrews (Scotland): Rory McIlroy’s “kickabout” may have deprived the British Open of having the world number one defend his title, but the potential storylines next week at St Andrews are still strong, starting with golf’s new golden boy Jordan Spieth.

 

The 21-year-old Texan has dominated the sport during the first half of this year, becoming the second-youngest winner of the Masters after Tiger Woods in April and last month becoming the youngest winner of the US Open since Bobby Jones in 1923.

 

That brings him to St Andrews with a shot at becoming just the second man — after Ben Hogan in 1953 — to win the first three majors of the year, setting up the mouthwatering prospect of him pulling off the Grand Slam at the PGA Championship next month.

 

Spieth raised a few eyebrows by electing not to travel to Scotland early to acquaint himself better with links golf. He has only ever played at St Andrews once, four years ago ahead of a Walker Cup match in Aberdeen.

 

Instead, he stayed at home to compete in the relatively low-key John Deere Classic in Illinois for which he has a special affection.