Jordan Speith Admits Difficult Going Into 2016 Expecting To Duplicate Phenomenal Success Of 2015.

World No. 1 Jordan Speith admits it will be difficult to repeat the success in 2016 he’s enjoyed in the past twelve months.

Speith has returned to Sydney to defend Thursday’s starting Australian Open at The Australian Club.

It was his victory on the same golf course a year ago, and capped by a blistering final round course record setting 63, that kick-stated a run of remarkable success for the quietly-spoken Texan.

The Dallas-born Speith then went onto to win the following week’s Tiger Woods hosted Hero World Challenge and then headed into the 2015 regular PGA Tour season capturing the Master and US Open titles along with three regular events including the Valspar Championship, a second John Deere Classic and the year ending Tour Championship.

“I felt after that Sunday round here at The Australian Club a year ago that my victory in Sydney it would do something for me but not launch the type of year I’ve had this year,” he said.

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

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

“I was tied for the lead going into the final round here in Sydney and I knew I could do it and really just stayed really patient and played one of the best rounds of my life when I really needed it.

“I then went onto the next week and probably played the best golf of my career down the stretch,  and really had that mental edge I had been looking for.

“I kind of had that mental edge all my golfing life but kind of lost it a bit coming onto the tour but I guess it was a steep learning curve.

“So it’s just nice to be back and I really love Australia and it’s one of my favourite places to play while the city of Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.”

Speith will tee up this week looking to now become the first non-Australian born player to win the coveted Stonehaven Trophy for a second straight year since the great Jack Nicklaus won the title in 1975 and 1976.

But after such a successful year when he is assured of ending 2015 as the World No. 1 Speith admitted it will be a hard act to follow as he heads into 2016.

The first of two Major victories for Jordan Speith in 2015.

The first of two Major victories for Jordan Speith in 2015.

“I don’t know if it is realistic to raise the bar in 2016 given what I have achieved in 2015 but I am sure it will be very close as I am always trying to get a little bit better,” he said.

“It would good if I could repeat what I have accomplished this year next season but whether or not that happens it tournaments or not, my goals for the New Year will certainly include having multiple tournament wins.

“I would expect to at least win a Major Championship and it’s exactly what Rory’s (McIlroy) been saying that even in an off year you want to be at least close to winning a Major Championship.

“I don’t think why I shouldn’t think the same way right now but then looking back on this year it was a bit surprising for me to win three most lucrative tournaments in the season.

“But then that was the plan and it came together in two Majors and the Tour Championship and in the other majors I had a chance to win, and if could somehow replicate 2015 for the reason of my career I would be pleased.”

And Speith was asked to single out what he thought was his own ‘Shot of the Year’.

Australian Open poster released“It has to be the Masters and whether it was Saturday’s flop shot or paring the 11th hole in taking a six shot lead or having that punched 4-iron to 11 on route to saving par when I easily could have taken double bogey there,” he said.

“There’s also my second shot at 13 on Sunday so it’s really the Amen Corner stretch on Sunday at Augusta National which if you are going to have a memory of your best moment of the year then that is a dream come true.”



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