Where I Need to Be Living’ – Jordan Spieth on Why He Thrives at the Open Championship

Jordan Spieth, a name synonymous with golf excellence, opened the 2021 Open Championship with a staggering performance, carding an impressive 65 and remaining five-under for the day. His exceptional prowess with irons and the putter shone throughout the day, compensating for a slight deviation in driving accuracy that managed to keep him clear of the thick roughs.

This tournament, The Open Championship, has always been a realm of luck and skill for Spieth. His triumph in 2017 still lingers in memory, and the golfing world watches closely to see if lightning will strike twice. Spieth, it seems, is perfectly at ease when he steps onto the links of The Open Championship, a fact he didn’t hesitate to share during the post-round press conference.

In the midst of questions and queries from reporters, one dared to ask Spieth why he consistently excels in The Open. His response was profound: “There are a lot of external factors here—and external is where I need to be living.”

This revelation unveils Spieth’s affinity for the course itself rather than the mechanics of his swing. He’s previously dubbed himself a ‘feel first’ player, and a links golf course like this one demands precisely that – a feel for every shot, rather than an obsession with technical precision.

Despite a shaky start with a dropped shot on the 3rd hole, Spieth orchestrated a remarkable comeback, stringing together four consecutive birdies from the 5th to the 9th hole, finishing the front nine at -3 for the tournament. On the back nine, he displayed steely composure, going bogey-free while adding two more birdies to his tally, ultimately concluding the day with a stellar 65, leaving him at -5 for the championship.

As he gears up for the second round, Spieth is slated to tee off in the afternoon, exuding confidence and semblance of his vintage self. The course demands precision, a quality Spieth delivered in abundance during the first round. He now sets his sights on maintaining this momentum for the rounds ahead, aiming to stride confidently into the weekend.