Jordan Spieth – Jordan Spieth was one of five US players to join Jim Furyk at Le Golf National
Jim Furyk has plenty to thank Jordan Spieth for. Alongside Bubba Watson, the Open champion afforded substance to the United States Ryder Cup captain’s reconnaissance mission on Saturday to Le Golf National, the venue for September’s showdown.
There were fears that Furyk would suffer the same embarrassment as Tom Watson in 2014, whose advance party to Gleneagles before that year’s Open saw only two players show up.
As Furyk was one of those – along with Keegan Bradley – he was obviously keen to assemble at least enough members to form a boy band, and he will have been relieved that five were in attendance.
However, as they included Tony Finau, Brian Harman and Kevin Kisner – three players not currently in the top eight automatic places in the standings and all long shots to make Furyk’s dozen – Spieth’s presence was much appreciated.
In fairness, Justin Thomas played at Le Golf National three weeks ago, while Phil Mickelson stopped off for a practice round before heading to this week’s Scottish Open. Tiger Woods, despite being a vice-captain and an overwhelming favourite to be one of Furyk’s wild cards, was one of those who elected to skip the scouting trip. The 14-time major champion landed in London on Saturday and is expected to arrive at Carnoustie on Sunday to beginning his preparations for The Open.
US Ryder Cup champion Jim Furyk – US Ryder Cup champion Jim Furyk
US Ryder Cup champion Jim Furyk Credit: Getty Images
Spieth will also be on the famous Angus fairways, and the memories of his startling triumph 12 months ago at Royal Birkdale will inevitably come flooding back, particularly the 13th hole in the final round.
Holding a one-shot lead, Spieth sliced his tee-shot so wildly he believed it to be lost. It was located on a far-flung dune and he went on to salvage the most incredible bogey in Open history.
Spieth spent an eternity weighing up options, before taking relief between two trailers and dropping on to the practice area. Ten minutes later and he walked off the green with a spring in his step, even though he had just fallen one behind Matt Kuchar. Spieth played the next four holes in five under to win by three.
The 24-year-old has revealed that he was so “lost in the moment” that it was only when he watched a DVD on the Monday that he realised how long it all took. “I got home to Dallas, and I couldn’t help but turn on the final round and fast-forward until the tee shot on 13.
“For me, it went by pretty quickly but with the coverage they come back from the commercials, and it seems like we haven’t even moved. It was kind of tough to watch.
“But you know, the title ‘Champion Golfer of the Year’ is such a cool thing. When those words were spoken on the 18th green at Birkdale, it just kind of hit me. I’m looking forward to having that announcement again on Thursday.”
