Jordan Spieth Returns to Royal Birkdale — Full Press Conference Before The Open Championship

[0:00] Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. We are delighted to be joined by 2017 Open [0:05] Champion Jordan Spieth. Jordan, welcome back to Royal Birkdale. Was there some nice memories that [0:11] came flooding back when you walked onto property? Yeah, definitely, especially playing the closing [0:18] holes yesterday and today. You know, walking up the 18th and remembering what it was like to walk [0:23] up that 18th hole nine years ago. You know, putt to the pins that I putted to. You know, [0:30] obviously some of those holes coming in have changed. That was maybe the best shot and the [0:36] best putt I've ever hit don't exist anymore, which is a little unusual. But I hope to create some [0:42] some more great memories here. It's a fantastic track. Maybe the hardest open venue, most difficult [0:48] open venue, obviously weather dependent. It's certainly shown that in previous opens with [0:53] scoring. So dried up this week. It's going to play quite different than it did the last time we were [0:59] here. And we've had an opposite wind to the last couple days. We'll see what happens with the wind [1:04] direction because that's everything out here, right? I mean, holes that are close to being drivable [1:10] become mid to long irons. And just with a wind switch, the difference in into and downer is so [1:16] dramatic over here that picking a strategy is going to be key and it's going to be quite different than [1:22] the last time I was here. But nevertheless, you know, I have great memories and, you know, [1:29] just reliving some of the shots and especially in the closing stretch. Great. We'll start with Mark, [1:34] please. Hey, Jordan. Two questions unrelated. The first of which is is 13 that year, number 13. [1:41] What are your what are your memories of that? And how often has that come up over time? Maybe I'm sure not [1:47] lately, but after that, just this to how crazy that moment was. Yeah, it's come up probably more than [1:54] any other hole I've ever played. I remember being pretty decisive in what I wanted to do and a little [2:03] frustrated with the amount of time it all took just because it's not wasn't my intent. And I remember [2:11] getting the most out of it and and making a bogey there and feeling like I stole a shot back somehow. And [2:18] but yeah, I mean, as I was playing it the last couple of days, it was it was fun to stand on [2:26] that tee and just kind of be like, wow, this is, you know, some stuff really hit the fan last time [2:32] I was standing on this tee from here on in. So it was the start of a crazy six hole stretch. And [2:37] and then but I was like driver to iron the last two days is completely different hole. You're trying [2:43] to hit it down the left side instead of the right. So it's it was nice to kind of play it again and get it [2:50] out of the way and and then come tournament time try to try to it's one of the harder holes on the [2:56] golf course to try to figure out a way to get around in four fours and beat whatever I did [3:01] nine years ago in that hole. Just as unrelated, you know, you've won twice since then, which I'm sure [3:08] is not nearly what you would hoped at that point. Where is your game right now? You know, because I [3:13] think I've heard you say in time that you're playing better now that you weren't than you were back then. [3:17] You're a better player. No, not than I was back then, but since back then. Yeah, no. Yeah. So yeah, [3:22] where are you? What do you feel like right now where you're at? I feel better than my results have shown. [3:27] Um, and you know, just a mix of mix of reasons why, but, uh, um, a really good opportunity this week to [3:39] to believe that trust that, um, the more difficult the venue requires me to really [3:47] dial in mentally a little bit more, which I think is going to be a good thing. [3:51] Um, and then being able to, you know, handle whatever comes your way on a, on a difficult [3:56] major venue and kind of react a bit less and, um, uh, should be a really good opportunity this week. [4:04] But, um, yeah, I mean, I, I feel like I have a lot of great golf in front of me. Um, I feel [4:10] I'm way more optimistic than I've been at a lot of different points in my career. [4:13] Um, I'm quite frustrated at the results considering where I know my game is at. It's better than it was [4:20] four or five years ago when I got back to top 10 in the world. Um, it's without a doubt better than it [4:24] was then. And it's just not quite showing up in results. Um, at the same time, it's a stay the [4:30] course mentality. And sometimes stuff like that is delayed. Sometimes you get rewarded right away, [4:35] like I kind of did back then, maybe in a bit of a lucky fashion. Um, and I understand that sometimes [4:41] it's, it's delayed and that's how it feels like it is right now. And, um, knowing me, [4:48] um, when the lid pops off the hole, you know, I feel like I can go on a run as, um, about as hot [4:55] as anybody can run. So I'm just waiting for that opportunity. Number three in the front, please. [5:00] Jordan, I was just wondering if you could talk us through your preparation for this tournament over [5:05] the last sort of couple of weeks. Maybe I know that you didn't play Scottish Open, but you must have [5:08] been out on Lynx courses and how you sort of adapt your game for playing a course like this. [5:13] Yeah, I think it's important if you don't play the week before to try to get in and, [5:17] you know, play some golf on the weekend before. So I played Saturday and Sunday and, [5:22] um, and I played another nine holes today. It's just, as I was mentioning earlier, I mean, [5:26] it's just, it's almost impossible to, um, overestimate the wind. Like, I feel like I [5:33] underestimate it every single time in the first three or four days that I'm playing golf here, [5:37] whether it's a crosswind or it's into or down. Um, the effect on the golf ball is magnified almost [5:43] double what it is in the States. And, uh, and when it's firm like this, it can be even [5:48] more so downwinds. I mean, five irons are running out to 300 yards. I mean, it's like, you gotta, [5:53] and it's, you have to be careful because they put bunkers right at, right at that number before [5:57] the dog leg on half the holes. So, um, it's important to get over here and really get your [6:03] distance control, the total distance control dialed in. Um, it's firmer around the greens, [6:09] making it more difficult. We can't, some of us who like to use like myself, a 60 degree and fly [6:13] balls and spin it a lot. Um, those shots are a lot harder when it's this firm around the greens, [6:19] which is just, um, it can bounce into it a lot easier. You have to be super precise. [6:25] So figuring out different ways to play shots around the greens too. So I've been, [6:28] been doing a lot of around the greens work, trying to figure out what, what the best options are, [6:35] a lot more putting stuff like that. Um, and speed control, um, around the green. So your typical [6:41] stuff that opens. Number four. Thanks. Jordan, what are you, uh, what are your impressions of [6:47] the changes on 13 and then also the long part three, number 15? I don't, I don't know what's [6:55] 13 maybe is a little bit longer and maybe one of the bunkers is in a different spot. There's not much [7:00] changed on 13. It's still one where, um, when the wind, you know, goes to its normal direction, [7:06] there's just not, if you're trying to be aggressive, there's not much of a place to hit it. [7:11] Um, but the hole itself seems very similar to me other than nine years ago, it was a strategy to [7:19] hit it over the bunkers on the right and the right rough. There was very little rough and it was very [7:23] flat and now it's, you may not find your ball and there's a bunch of, um, they moved a bunch of dirt [7:29] over there and it's the, there's tons of slope. So there is no strategy to hit it over there this year. [7:36] So it's a completely different, I will not be hitting driver down that right side like my plan [7:41] was every day, um, nine years ago. And then you said after 13, what did you mention? [7:48] Um, I think that 15 can be a great hole with the right tee box and pin with the right wind direction. [7:55] Um, I thought the old 14th was a fantastic part three. I think this course has some of the best [8:01] par threes that we play in any open championship. Uh, I think the back tee with this east wind at, [8:08] you know, three wood, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense with the way the green is, but [8:13] it's also not supposed to be that wind direction. So I think it hitting somewhere between a, [8:19] you know, a four iron that can stop, like we play the up tee today and it was 201, but it's in your face [8:24] and you're hitting 220 yard, four irons, you still have to hit a really nice shot. But if you do, [8:28] you get rewarded. I think it's, it's a really cool designed hole, but it needs to be played at [8:33] the right yardage. Otherwise it can get pretty funky. Rupert, thanks. [8:37] John, the RNA have just brought in a sort of crowd control code of conduct. Um, obviously you've [8:44] made comments about it. Do you think that's a retrograde step or do you just think it's sensible [8:49] that something that might, that has to be introduced now to sort of help golf spectators understand how [8:56] they should behave? And have you ever had experience over here where you think the crowd [9:00] have overstepped the mark? I think the fans at the open championship are the most knowledgeable [9:05] of anywhere that we play. Um, so I've never felt, never felt that over here, but um, I also don't know [9:12] what happens outside the ropes to the extent that they might need it. Um, I'm sure if they felt they [9:19] needed to do it, then there's a reason. Um, but I've always felt, uh, I've always felt great support, [9:26] but also appropriate, um, responses to shots, stuff like that from the crowds that are, [9:33] as I mentioned, extremely knowledgeable here. Doug, thanks. Whatever frustration that you have, [9:40] is it more a product of results or, or optimism? The frustration and whatever frustration like [9:48] the fact that I am optimistic and it's not, and it hasn't resulted. Is that what you mean? Yeah. [9:53] Um, no, cause I don't think I'm unrealistic. I've got a really good gauge on when my game feels the way [10:00] it should. And I'm producing the shots that like what that should yield. Um, I'm not, I had to kind [10:06] of sit back and be like, man, am I, I'm not as on as I think I am. And I had to kind of take a look [10:11] and dive into stats like that kind of stuff to try to think being realistic with where you're at [10:15] can change your strategy, can change your expectations. And then a lot of times your [10:19] mentality. So you don't get as frustrated if you're not scoring, you can be more patient. But, um, [10:24] I truly feel that it's more with, um, with, with just not having the results that I feel that my [10:32] game is, uh, um, like I just, like if you, if I could call every shot, um, I feel like I've hit [10:38] a lot of shots. I've called my shots a lot of times that have ended up in, in, um, you know, maybe less, [10:46] uh, great spots than other times where I didn't feel like I hit as good of a shot and it ended up okay. [10:52] And, and that's just, that's just golf and you just stay with it and more consistent. And I feel [10:59] like I'm, I'm pretty knowledgeable about the shot I need to hit and how far it needs to go. So I think, [11:05] um, I just keep plugging along doing that. Um, I putted well and at the John Deere, um, [11:12] which was nice to see some go in, uh, especially on Sunday, it's nice to kind of ride a more recent [11:18] round into, um, the next tournament. And, um, you know, a lot of it's just been, I mean, [11:23] in the majors I played, I struck it T to green well enough to win all three majors this year [11:27] and had three of my worst putting performances and stroke felt fine. Just didn't go in. So [11:33] I've been working really hard on whether it's practice or, um, where I'm playing, how often [11:40] I'm playing to try to try to get the lid off and, um, stroking it well, it just needs to, [11:45] they just need to fall. And then going back to 15, um, when you heard that they took away the [11:50] side of your great six iron, did you ever ask them why they built a new hole? [11:54] I don't even know who them would be like it. I don't even know who them would be. So [11:59] no, I, I didn't. And no, I didn't have any input and nor would I have expected to have any input. [12:04] Um, at, in some regard, it's kind of nice cause I'll never, I'll never hit a shot that, [12:11] I mean, this is the last time I was like a walk off, you know, like I go back and try and do it [12:15] again and I don't hit as good of a shot, then it's not as cool. So, um, but, uh, yeah, it was interesting to [12:23] see, you know, cause the, the hole is still there. The tee boxes are still there. You know, now it's [12:29] the patrons are using it for, but it almost looks like they still use it, but I don't know, [12:35] like you could play 19 holes here. It seems it kind of flows nicely. [12:39] Jeff, thanks. Um, Jordan, you made a point to get here early. Um, I assume in part because [12:47] practice rounds are really getting to be tough, any golf tournament, any of the world, uh, place [12:52] in the world and they're slow and guys hit a lot of shots around greens. Do you think there's any [12:56] solution, um, to somehow tightening up, uh, that so that practice rounds aren't such a slog and they're [13:04] enjoyable for viewers and fans and, and for, for you guys feel that the fans probably enjoy it more [13:11] the way it is because they see more shots up close and a lot of, you know, shots around the greens [13:15] can be fun shots for patrons to see. Um, they're very fast in the elevated events. I mean, that's a [13:23] field size situation, but I don't know that the field sizes are any bigger than they have been. I [13:28] also don't have information or data that says the practice rounds are slower than they were 10 years ago [13:33] either. So if that's the case, then, um, you know, then, then that's something, but I'm not, [13:40] I don't remember it being much different. I mean, the U S open notoriously slow practice rounds. [13:45] I got there early for that reason too. Um, Augusta is not super slow, some smaller field and then, [13:52] um, uh, the open can be, this can be pretty slow, but a lot of times it's a new golf course. It's [13:59] difficult with a lot of crazy areas around greens. I mean, it's, it's almost always the shots around [14:05] the greens, right? That slow it down. So, and you just have people, you know, you're going to hit putts [14:09] from 30 yards and you're going to hit kind of go into these pot bunkers and stuff. So I don't see [14:15] it changing. I don't know that there is a solution. I think if you want it to go fast, you go first or [14:19] last off. Otherwise you try to play a game so that it feels like it goes a little faster sometimes. [14:28] I will finish with the last few questions that we have in the room. So I'm both, please. [14:32] Were you surprised at the time or any more so now that somebody shot 62 here? [14:40] I don't remember how I felt because it was Sunday morning, wasn't it? [14:44] Brendan Grace was a Saturday morning. Um, I don't exactly remember other than maybe there's [14:53] some birdies out there. So a little bit of optimism, um, having kind of played it more now too. And [15:01] I mean, it was a strong east wind and firmer, but it's like, I don't see a 62 out there right now. [15:06] Um, so if there's going to be one, it, I could see it happening at an open championship over the [15:13] other majors just because so much of it's dependent on the conditions and if the conditions are calm, [15:18] like you'd think people, there'll be a 60 at St. Andrews if calm conditions probably next year. [15:24] Um, just the way the game's going, people are just shooting lower and lower. So [15:29] I think it's a matter of time, technology and depth of golf. [15:35] Number two in the middle, please. [15:37] Hi Jordan. Um, just to follow up on Doug's first question earlier. Um, most golfers have a [15:44] period where they're at their very peak and maximize that. I'm just wondering as a professional [15:49] athlete, do you always, are you always confident you can regain that absolute peak? I mean, yours, [15:57] what 2015, 2018, when you come down from that, is there always something in the back of mind thinking [16:03] I can get there again? Or as you say, do you have to modify your expectations thinking that was the [16:08] peak? I recognize that was the peak and it will have to be different now. [16:11] No, I will never believe that until I'm at a point in my career where my health or whatever would [16:18] would be that. Cause I mean, if you give up on reaching your ceiling, then I don't see a point [16:23] in playing anymore. Um, so for me, it's always about I'll do everything I can to be trying to be at [16:31] the very best in the world. Cause I know that I can be, I have been, it's nice to have the blueprint. [16:36] I've mentioned it this year that, you know, if you are capable of leading in every category, [16:41] then you are capable of, of doing great things. And, um, you know, even in this season, I've been [16:47] able to lead in each different categories. It's not like it's been one thing. Um, and that's a super [16:53] optimistic thing because other years, even when I've won in the last five years or so, there's been [16:58] lagging categories. And for me, it's just been putting it together, which is typically everybody in [17:04] in the game of golf. But knowing that, um, my ability to, to be as good, I mean, there, [17:12] there are things I can do now that I, that are, that I can do significantly better than I could [17:15] when I was number one in the world. Um, therefore there should be nothing that should stop me in my [17:20] own head of being able to, to search and, and, and believe that I can reach that again. I'm 32. [17:27] I'm not 42 at 42. You'd have to really sacrifice a lot of things to try to do that. [17:32] I, I don't feel that I have to, um, I feel like I have years that, I mean, how old was Phil when [17:38] he won his first major 34 34. And, you know, so, and there's plenty of go back in time. There's plenty [17:47] of, um, examples where guys have played their best golf from there on. Now I'm always comparing myself [17:53] a bit to myself and my best, but not to try to be the exact player, just more so that I know that I [17:59] can, I can do it. I know that my ceiling is where that level was. And so I'm going to strive for it [18:06] with the type of player that I am now. Second last question, number four on the right there. [18:12] Jordan, you've waited nine years to come back to Birkdale. Is there an area of the course or the club [18:17] that you've been most looking forward to returning to? The 14th tee box. Anything that still exists? [18:25] And it, I, I'm not going to be able to get there. I don't think, unless I go hang out with a bunch of [18:30] people. Um, no, I, not necessarily. I really was looking forward to going to the 18th green again. [18:37] I mean, winning the open championship was a significant highlight of my life. I mean, it was, [18:44] it's arguably the best tournament in the world and the greatest trophy in the world, um, to attain [18:49] in the most worldly golf tournament in the world. So, um, on the list of goals, it was right up there [18:54] at the top. And so being on that green is where that happened. And I was really looking forward to [18:59] getting back, walking, walking back down 18 yesterday and, um, and reliving what it was [19:04] like to walk, you know, the 18th hole at the open is the most unique, um, you know, finishing [19:10] walking golf and, um, and to, to have those memories and be able to walk up there again yesterday was [19:16] really special. And our final question. Thanks. Jordan, almost as iconic as the bogey you made was [19:25] go get that. Do you have a favorite story where you've used that or someone's used that against you in the [19:32] last nine years? Do you know of a time? I don't know if, are you asking because you know of the [19:38] time someone used it? Because I don't, I'm not, I don't think so. I didn't know if like someone had [19:44] done it in a team event or something. No, no, I'm not just being like, like in a regular round or [19:48] something. I mean, it's become kind of a meme and you know, my wife will go, go get that. Gotcha. [19:54] All right. Um, it's, it comes up periodically over, it comes up here and there sometimes for sure. [20:03] Um, from friends I play with at home to guys on tour or whatever. But, um, no, I think I used it [20:12] once earlier this year, which ironically I finished like 50th in the tournament. So [20:16] it didn't really mean as much. Um, but I made an eagle putt on seven of quail hollow. Yeah. [20:23] Took me from 48th to 44th at the time, probably. Um, it's not quite the same meaning, but it was just [20:30] kind of funny. Uh, so yeah, I mean, it will, it'll come up as a joke, um, quite often actually. [20:36] And how did you celebrate that night? And is there anything different that people felt of having the, [20:43] getting to celebrate with the Claret Jug versus the other, you know, the green jacket or the US Open [20:49] trophy? I flew back home that night actually, um, with a bunch of guys to Atlanta. And then I flew back [20:56] from, tried to sleep two hours from Atlanta to Dallas. I probably got in at 3 or 4 a.m. Dallas time [21:02] and went back home. And, um, so yeah, I mean, I certainly celebrated on the way to Atlanta, um, [21:09] played cards, had a few beers. Um, and then when I got home, Michael came, Michael was with me and we [21:17] woke up and rewatched the final round and kind of fast forwarded through 13. And so we could actually [21:23] watch it without taking six hours. And, uh, and then I, I remember watching it with him and just [21:29] kind of that next morning, that Monday morning back, back at home. And then I, yeah, I went and [21:35] celebrated with some friends over the next couple of days. I just got home quickly, which was great. [21:41] Well, Jordan, we thank you so much for your time this afternoon. We wish you the best of luck this week.