Adam Scott Praises Jordan Spieth Defending His Australian Open Title

Fellow Masters champion Adam Scott has singled out Jordan Spieth for special praise in honouring his decision to defend this year’s Australian Open in Sydney.

Spieth has often this season singled out his success this season, that has included back-to-back victories at Augusta National and the U.S. Open, to his tearaway six stroke triumph last December at The Australian Club.

Spieth, who finished 24 strokes ahead of World No. 1 and defending champion Rory McIlroy, then headed to Orlando where seven days later and strolled to a 10-shot victory in the Tiger Woods hosted Hero World Challenge.

The 21-year old Texan captured a second PGA Tour title in winning the Valspar Championship in Tampa Bay before finishing runner-up in his next two event, the Valero Texas Open and the Shell Houston Open.

Jordan Spieth singles out Australian Open success as pivotal to winning the 2105 Masters.  (Photo - Anthony Powter)

Adam Scott praised Jordan Spieth for his decision to defend the Australian Open. (Photo – Anthony Powter)

A week later Spieth claimed the Masters while he became only the sixth player to hold both Major titles while he then arrived at St. Andrews keeping alive hopes of a ‘Calendar Grand Slam’ winning the John Deere Classic.

However he will head to Australia later this year with Golf Australia officials believing the first person to be holding two Major title

“It’s huge for the Australian Open as no matter happens to Jordan on the golf course the rest of this year the tournament will have the reigning Masters and U.S. Open winner in the field,” said Scott.

It continues to keep the Australian Open on the world stage given what I achieved in winning at Augusta two years ago and then having Rory (McIlroy) winning later that year but then Rory agreeing to return to defend last year but as the winner of The Open and the PGA Championship.

“Jordan is the most exciting player we have out here at the moment and continues a good run for organisers back home as they seem to continue to pull the right players to tee up.”

In fact, Spieth confirmed in San Antonio at the Texas Open he would defend the Stonehaven Trophy and a fortnight prior to joining Scott as a Masters champion.

“It was great for the Australian Open that Jordan did commit early to defend the tournament and that is all part of his nature, as you can’t fault the guy at present,” said Scott.

“He is doing all the right things off the golf course, making all the right calls and everyone says he has such a mature head on his shoulders and clearly understands the value of coming back to defend a golf tournament as we saw last week when he could have easily taken the week off before coming here to St. Andrews but he went back to play in the John Deere Classic after being given an invitation a few years back.

“Also I know from speaking to Jordan and reading his comments after winning in Sydney last year, he appreciates the history of the Australian Open.

“He was pretty chuffed to win the title last year and when you consider what he has gone on to win since, his Australian Open win was only his second win ever.

“So it wasn’t like it was another win at that point of his career as it now seems pivotal to what he’s gone on to achieve in 2015 already, as it was a big deal for him and he didn’t take it lightly.

“And we’ve heard Rory speak often how winning the 2013 Australian Open, and in what was his only win that year and in his very last event, speak of how much his win in Sydney was like a catalyst to winning two Majors, a WGC, and two or three other victories last year.

“So the Australian Open will claim that!

“But just that final round 63 by Jordan was spectacular and in my view it was probably the best final round of golf I saw anywhere last year.”

The 2015 Australian Open will be held from 26th to 29th November and again at The Australian Club.

 



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