Many of the world's top golfers are at the Oakmont Country Club outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania preparing for the second major of the year, the 116th US Open. The 113-year old course will be hosting for a record ninth time and the conditions are going to make it very difficult for defending champion Jordan Spieth and the rest of the field to go low.
Jordan Spieth comes into the 116th edition of the US Open...looking to defend his crown on a track that promises to be as stiff a test as these guys will find all year. Oakmont is playing long...the rough is absolutely nasty...and the greens, slick as you can imagine. Despite sporting the 'Champion' tag...Spieth says he isn't feeling any added pressure.
"Honestly feels like a normal week that I got here earlier for...and preparing for. Took a week off after a four week stretch and got my legs under me. I wish it started tomorrow to be honest. Being defending champion..could help me down the stretch...feel good in my game. As far as getting moving this week and my preparation...it really feels like a normal event...which is nice," said Jordan Spieth defending U.S. Open champion.
Key's to this week for Spieth to repeat...will be to drive the ball well...keeping it out of the troublesome rough...and to also handle the blazing fast greens...something the reigning Champ is known for.
"You have to be careful...can't let your mind slip or you'll be left with a 10-15 footer on your next. I think they putt simialr to Augusta...and uin some places...more severe," he said.
Now...you may remember that Spieth's win at Chambers Bay last year...came after Dustin Johnson three-putted on the final hole...handing the US Open trophy to Spieth. There is certainly a parallel that could be drawn between that event...and the Masters earlier this season...where Spieth imploded on the back nine...allowing Danny Willett to take advantage and seize his first career Major. Spieth though, says...it's important to look at a tournament as a whole...and not just a couple moments.
"There's nothing taken away from my win or from Danny Willet's win. The more you look at it as theree's no pictures on scorecatds...count em up at the end of 72. Ultimately you dissect it...and we want to learn...that's the news...but ultimately when I look back...I don't remember Dustin's putt...I remember us winning the US Open.," he said.
And Spieth hopes this week...he can stroll his way to another Major moment. It's going to be anything but easy at brutal Oakmont...but the guy with the crown....certainly has the game and mental fortitude needed to repeat as US Open champ.
