Jordan Spieth: 21-year-old goes into the Open with history in his sights

FALDO WARNS SPIETH'S CRITICS THEY'RE WRONG TO DOUBT HIM

“It is not just his talent, right?” said Kuehl. “It’s everything else about him. What he has achieved is amazing. We thought he would win. We knew he had the talent, the character and the courage, and the Majors test all those things, but to win two in a row at his age is historic.”

A platinum junior record alerted Under Armour to his pedigree. “As an ex-professional athlete I know when people are in it to win as opposed to picking up a cheque. It was clear to me if you played ping pong with the guy he’d play until he won. He just loves to compete. Not every athlete is like that. There are a lot of great players but only a select group of golfers who move the needle. He’s in that group.”

In terms of making a golf ball sing off the tee, Spieth does not makes the eyes water. But from the second shot and in he is brutally effective. With the putter in his hand, one that he has used since he was 15, he is without peer.

There is also another element hitherto unexplored; his choice of pre-match meal. “I like an omelette before I go out and play.” Cue the sound of breaking eggs around the Old Course Hotel as his rivals begin to absorb the secrets of his success.

At least a part of that is hard work and enthusiasm. He was out on the course until after 9.30pm on Monday and set off early in the morning for a second sweep yesterday. And he likes what he has seen. “This history of the place is amazing. People have been playing golf here for centuries since before the United States of America existed.”

It was thought that delaying his arrival to contest the John Deere Classic in Illinois last week could be detrimental to his prospects of completing the third leg of what might yet be unprecedented ownership of all four Majors in a calendar year. Stoked by another victory on Sunday, Spieth marches on untroubled by the concerns of old men.

The target on his back and the unfamiliarity of the setting have nil impact on Spieth, who took one look at the Old Course and said, metaphorically at least, “bring it on”.

Indeed it is the unique nature of the test that appeals. “It’s a different challenge because you are dealing with conditions more. You have rain for a couple of holes, gusty winds and then it can clear up. We don’t normally see variety like that in the States. It can rain all day or we can have great weather. You also have to use your imagination a lot more out here. It’s like the course is trying to trick you.

“The ball rolls out a lot more than we are used to, so you maybe put a driving iron in the bag rather than a rescue. Other than that you are just trying to play your game and be aware of where the bunkers are and avoid them.”

Sounds like a plan to me.