So close, but Spieth's Grand Slam dream dies at St Andrews

ST ANDREWS, Scotland - When American Jordan Spieth sent his ball across the 16th green at St Andrews on Monday and seconds later watched it vanish into the hole 40 feet away it seemed the golfing Gods were smiling on him.

As the challengers for the 144th British Open faltered one by one the history-seeking Texan moved level with leaders Zach Johnson and Marc Leishman and he could almost smell the polish on the old Claret Jug.

However, even this remarkably talented 21-year-old, with strokes of genius and tungsten nerves, proved human after all as the infamous Road Hole claimed another victim.

Spieth played three superb shots to give himself a regulation six-foot putt for the par that would have sent him down the far more accommodating 18th needing a birdie to become the first man since Ben Hogan in 1953 to land the year's first three majors.

But the nerveless putting that propelled him to the Masters and the U.S. Open this year, failed him as the ball rolled wide.

All was not lost as a birdie at the last would have at least earned him a playoff -- and you imagine he would have won it, such is the aura he has acquired in his short career.

However, he sent his tee shot wide left and his though his approach initially seemed to have salvaged his chances, the ball spun wickedly backwards into the Valley of Sin.

His birdie attempt, up the slope, was bold and true, but the ball refused to drop and as groans filled the dank air. Spieth puffed out his cheeks and trudged off looking disconsolate.

He is in good company though.

Of the five players to win the year's first two majors, only Hogan then triumphed at the British Open, at Carnoustie in 1953.

Fellow Americans Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods all fell at the third hurdle when trying to attempt the Holy Grail of the calendar slam -- Woods failing in 2002.

"I just wish I'd given myself a little better opportunity," Spieth, who would have become the youngest ever world number one had he won, said.

Just as he demonstrated at the ninth, though, when he made birdie after a calamitous three-putt double bogey on the eighth that would have pole-axed many more grizzled players, Spieth does not stay down for long.

"I don't know how many guys have done three majors in a year," he said. "I'm sure there's only been a few, I know Tiger has done it. So that would be the next goal as far as the history goes. Sights set on the PGA Championship."

Woods won his three in 2000 -- including the British Open at St Andrews -- and the only other man to secure a hat-trick was Ben Hogan in 1953.

While Spieth was disappointed with the missed putt on the 17th -- "I didn't hit it very solid" he said -- it was the par-three eighth hole, tucked away alongside the River Eden, where his shot at history ebbed away.

His tee shot into wind and driving rain fell short. "Oh Jordan, C'mon man!!" he scolded.

But worse followed as he took four putts from the front of the green to get down.

"When you look up from the ball and you're getting pelted in the face, it's a hard shot," he said. "I just tried to sling one in there and I left it 40 yards from the pin. It's just a no-brainer. If you make bogey, you're still in it. If you make double bogey, it's a very difficult climb."

He did climb back though, with a birdie at the 10th and then five solid pars before his wonder putt at the 16th seemed to light the touchpaper for something special.

Instead stood by the 18th and watched Zach Johnson win a playoff. "That's a hell of a major," Spieth said.

It was not just Johnson fans celebrating either as Spieth's failure saved bookmakers millions. "Spieth would have been a shocker so anyone else was a result," said Rupert Adams, spokesman for William Hill, who already make the 21-year-old 5-1 for the US PGA.

"That said, we fully expect Jordan Spieth to be the scourge of bookmakers for many years to come."

(Reporting editing by Mitch Phillips)

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Day inspired by 'go get it done' message from Woods

ST ANDREWS, Scotland - Jason Day, buoyed by the support of close friend Tiger Woods, believes he is ready to end his run of major championship near-misses at the 144th British Open.

The 27-year-old Filipino-Australian has so often been the bridesmaid in a 'Big Four' event and is desperate to finally make the breakthrough on Monday.

"It's good to be mates with him (Woods)," Day told reporters on Sunday after a five-under-par 67 helped him share the third-round lead with Irish amateur Paul Dunne and South African Louis Oosthuizen on 12-under-par 204.

"Every time I'm in contention he always sends a text message saying, 'you know what you need to do'."

Fourteen-times major winner Woods, who missed the halfway cut at St Andrews, told Day after Saturday's second round to 'go get it done'.

"To hear that advice gives you a boost of confidence to know that you're doing the right things and that he really believes in your skills," added the Queenslander who has five times finished in the top five at a major including three second places.

Woods, who has won the British Open on three occasions, also told Day to experience the special feeling that comes with soaking up the applause on the 18th hole of the Old Course links while leading the oldest major championship in the sport.

"He said it's the best walk in golf," said the Australian. "If I have the opportunity of doing that no one can take it away from me.

"That's part and parcel of why we work so hard...that little piece of immortality and glory that goes along with winning the Claret Jug at the home of golf.

"It would be an unbelievable experience. You just can't buy that. The only way you can get that is through the blood, sweat and tears and the dedication you put into your game." (Editing by Mitch Phillips)

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Spieth five off the pace and ready to chase down Johnson

ST ANDREWS, Scotland - American Jordan Spieth believes he will have to shoot 10-under par for his last two rounds at windswept St Andrews to keep his British Open hopes alive.

The 21-year-old Texan, attempting to become the first player since Ben Hogan in 1953 to win the year's first three majors, is five shots behind compatriot Dustin Johnson on five-under after a level-par 72 second round that took more than 24 hours to complete.

"I believe I'm still in contention. I still believe I can win this tournament," Spieth told reporters on Saturday after a trying and sometimes tetchy day that began with a 4.45am alarm call to complete his second round that had been interrupted by darkness the previous day.

"I need a really solid round tomorrow because Dustin is not letting up. Dustin is going to shoot a good round tomorrow with less wind, and I'm going to need to shoot a great round to give myself a chance. If I shoot something like 10-under in the last two rounds, I think I'll have a chance to win."

Normally being five shots adrift in a share for 14th place on the Saturday night of a major would be tough to haul back, but with the Open battered by bad weather it will end on Monday.

"Instead of being five shots back with one to go, I've still got two full rounds so anything can happen," the Masters and U.S. Open champion said.

He will have to rediscover his touch with the putter though.

Usually so deadly, he missed several opportunities over the course of his second round and reacted angrily when he missed a birdie putt on the 14th green -- his first hole of the day having come to a halt there in Friday's evening gloom.

"I just completely forgot about being aggressive, and that's what you have to be out here," he said.

"That was also my fourth three-putt in a row. I just wasn't hitting them hard enough."

Shortly after that the 50mph gusts caused a 10-hour suspension and Spieth voiced his annoyance at even being asked to start in such severe conditions.

"I don't believe that had they known what was going to happen they would have started us," he said. "It's unfortunate but we just have to stick it out."

When he returned, having caught up on some sleep, he bogeyed the par-four 17th but rebounded with a birdie on the last after matching big-hitting Johnson in driving the green. (editing by Justin Palmer)

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Johnson turns tables on Spieth while Woods slumps

ST ANDREWS, Scotland - Dustin Johnson sounded an ominous warning to grand slam-chasing Jordan Spieth by outmuscling the youngster to power his way to the top of the leaderboard in the British Open first round on Thursday.

The 31-year-old Johnson gave an object lesson in big hitting as he bulldozed his way to a pacesetting seven-under-par 65 in becalmed early weather conditions at the iconic Fife links.

Sharing second place on 66 are fellow Americans Zach Johnson and Robert Streb, South African Retief Goosen, 1999 champion Paul Lawrie of Scotland, England's Danny Willett and Jason Day of Australia.

Spieth, bidding to add golf's oldest major to his wins at this year's U.S. Masters and U.S. Open, tucked in two strokes behind countryman and playing partner Dustin Johnson but is all too well aware of the size of the task that could lie ahead.

"If DJ keeps driving it the way he is I'm going to have to play my best golf to have a chance," the 21-year-old Texan told reporters at St Andrews.

"It's hard to argue with somebody who is splitting bunkers at about 380 yards and two-putting for birdie on five or six of the holes when there are only two par-fives on the course.

"I don't have that in the bag so I've got to make up for it with ball-striking."

While Johnson and Spieth were showing off their dazzling skills, former world number one and twice St Andrews champion Tiger Woods looked a pale imitation of his old self as he slumped to a sad four-over 76.

The 14-times major winner made a wretched start when he dunked his approach into the Swilcan Burn on the first hole and that set the tone for a litany of errant strokes.

"The guys have been shooting good numbers, unfortunately I did not do that," said Woods after ending the day tied 139th in a field of 156.

"Hopefully the conditions will be tough tomorrow and I can put together a good round and move up the board."

TURNED TABLES
Woods' prayers may well be answered as the forecast for Friday's second round is for high winds and heavy rain.

Johnson, who suffered U.S. Open heartbreak last month when he missed his eagle effort for victory at the final hole and eventually three-putted, turned the tables on Spieth on Thursday but this was no grudge match.

"We are good buddies and we like playing with each other," said Johnson. "We had a lot of fun out there.

"This venue here is one of my favourite Opens. I really like the golf course and I think it sets up well for me."

The contrast in styles was stark as world number four Johnson belted a series of booming tee shots while second-ranked Spieth relied on strategy, deadly accurate approaches and a magical touch with the putter.

The youngster gave an early statement of his intent by ramming in a six-foot birdie putt at the first.

Spieth, looking dapper in a grey sweater and white trousers, continued to play smart golf and added another birdie at the second.

The American whizzkid, trying to emulate compatriot Ben Hogan who won the year's first three majors in 1953, showed he was human by missing from eight feet at the third before bouncing back with a birdie hat-trick from the fifth.

Spieth picked up another shot at the 11th but needed to caress a curling 20-foot birdie putt into the cup at the last to recover from dropped strokes at the 13th and 17th.

He and Johnson had the advantage of playing early in the day when the weather conditions were ideal for scoring.

The winds started to gust between 18 and 20 miles per hour for the late starters but it did not seem to bother Willett or Zach Johnson as the pair shot up the leaderboard. (Editing by Toby Davis)

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An Open at St Andrews is so special, says Spieth

ST ANDREWS, Scotland - Jordan Spieth may be just 21 years of age but there is no doubt he will go into this week's British Open fully aware of the historic significance of competing at the Home of Golf.

The sport's oldest major championship was first held at St Andrews in 1873 and the American is thrilled to be getting the chance of becoming the first player since 1953 to win the U.S. Masters, the U.S. Open and the British Open in the same season.

"This is arguably the most famous place in all of our sport," said Spieth at a question and answer session held on the outskirts of the iconic Scottish town on Tuesday.

"It's an incredible place. Playing the back nine coming back into the town there, and the last few holes especially, you recognise the history of not only the Open championship but also the golf course.

"People have been playing there for centuries, playing there before the United States was even discovered. That puts it into perspective, it's pretty amazing."

Spieth led from wire to wire in the Masters at Augusta in April.

His victory in last month's U.S. Open at Chambers Bay, however, was achieved in completely different style as he benefited from a meltdown by Dustin Johnson who took three putts on the final green.

"I didn't really expect it there at the end, that was kind of a shocker," said Spieth who is an athlete for Under Armour apparel (www.underarmour.com).

"It makes you appreciate it more because each week it's hard just to get into contention and compete with these guys but that's the joy and challenge of it.

"We are playing with the best players in the world, it's so challenging to win that it makes you really appreciate it when you do."

Spieth has won four times in total this year and knows he must change his week-to-week routine if he is to repeat Ben Hogan's 1953 feat.

"You have to put a little more emphasis on flighting the ball here, hitting the ball different trajectories," he said. "The ball rolls out a lot further than we normally see.

"You've got to watch your distance control so maybe you put a driving iron in play more than the hybrid club we would use in the States.

"Other than that you are just trying to play your game, get adjusted to the course, where the bunkers are, and avoid them."

(Editing by Alan Baldwin)

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Fil-Aussie golfer to see action at British Open

AFP Sport takes a look at eight of the players to watch at this week's 144th Open Championship which begins on Thursday at St Andrews:

Jason Day (AUS)
Age - 27
World ranking - 8

- Australian Jason Day has finished runner-up at major tournaments on three occasions, the 2011 and 2013 US Opens as well as the 2011 Masters. However his results on European soil have yet to produce a victory and his best result at the British Open was a tie for 30th in 2011. His Asian looks are down to his mother who was from the Philippines and he once gained inspiration from reading a book about Tiger Woods. The 27-year-old from Queensland reached a career high ranking of world number four in 2014 thanks to victory in the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship that same year. Tragically lost eight family members, including his grandmother, in November 2013 during Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

Jordan Spieth (USA)
Age - 21
World ranking - 2

- All eyes will be on the 21-year-old Texan who has turned the 2015 season on its head by winning the first two majors at the Masters and US Open. He will be attempting to become only the second man, after Ben Hogan in 1953, to win the first three Grand Slam events to open the year. Fresh from a playoff win at last weekend's John Deere Classic, Spieth can also snatch the world number one spot from injured Rory McIlroy with a win on Sunday at St Andrews.

Justin Rose (ENG)
Age - 34
World ranking - 7

- The popular South African-born Englishman enjoyed his greatest success at the Open back in 1998 when he finished in a tie for fourth place as an amateur. Early struggles in his career were soon forgotten as he rose to number three in the world in 2013, winning his first major the same year at the Philadelphia-hosted US Open. It was the first major won by an Englishman since Nick Faldo at the 1996 Masters. A gifted links player and winner of the 2014 Scottish Open, Rose will be looking to produce his best golf on a course where he won the 1997 St Andrews Links Trophy, also as an amateur.

Tiger Woods (USA)
Age - 39
World ranking - 241

- The iconic 39-year-old American always draws massive galleries wherever he plays and this week will be no different on a course he describes as his favourite in the world. Once the dominant force in golf, Woods has struggled in recent seasons and underwent back surgery in late 2013 that also saw a further dip in form. Second on the all-time list of major wins with 14, but still four short of Jack Nicklaus' record, Woods has no immediate plans to retire as he chases a first tournament victory since 2013. When he won the Open at St Andrews in 2000, he crushed the field by eight strokes while his second Open Championship victory, also on the Old Course in 2005, saw him canter home with a five shot winning margin. A third Open title in 2006 followed at last year's venue, the Royal Liverpool Golf Club.

Louis Oosthuizen (RSA)
Age - 32
World ranking - 17

- The soft-spoken South African stunned the world of golf in 2010 when he won the British Open at St Andrews with a brilliant performance against the odds. Coming into the tournament, the now 32-year-old had made the cut only once in eight major appearances. However he had the tournament of his life to win by seven shots and lept into the global golfing spotlight. A former world number four, he has seven wins on the European Tour and came close to winning the US Open earlier this year at Chambers Bay where he finished tied for second with Dustin Johnson and just one shot behind champion Jordan Spieth.

Tom Watson (USA)
Age - 65
World ranking - 1124

- One of the legends of the game, Tom Watson is set to play in his final British Open this week at the age of 65. Winner of eight majors, including five British Opens (75, 77, 80, 82, 83), the Kansas City native thrilled golf fans with his riveting rivalry against fellow great Jack Nicklaus during a golden era in the game in the 70's and 80's. In 2009 at the age of 59, he led the Open, at Turnberry, for much of the tournament and had a chance to win on the final day with an eight foot putt on the 18th before losing in a playoff against fellow American Stuart Cink. Watson has also won six majors on the senior circuit and played in four Ryder Cups, captaining the US team to victory in 1993 but was on the losing side as captain in 2014 against Paul McGinley's European side at Gleneagles.

Phil Mickelson (USA)
Age - 45
World ranking - 21

- One of the most popular players to ever play the game, 'Lefty' is a contender to win at every tournament he enters. The burly 45-year-old from San Diego is only missing the US Open to complete his Grand Slam set and has agonisingly finished second a record six times. Has won over 40 PGA tournaments and reached a career high of world number two on several occasions. Won his first Open in 2013 when he became the first player to win the Scottish and British Opens in consecutive weeks. He began the final day five strokes off the lead but produced a magical 66 to win by three shots ahead of Sweden's Henrik Stenson.

Rickie Fowler (USA)
Age - 26
World ranking - 5

- The Californian is still looking for his first major success after a series of near misses and finishing runner-up last year at the British and US Opens, third at the USPGA and fifth at the Masters. Arrives at St Andrews in a rich vein of form having come from behind to win last weekend's Scottish Open at Gullane. Also won his second PGA event in May when he defeated Sergio Garcia and Kevin Kisner in a playoff at the Players Championship in his resident state of Florida. The 26-year-old is firmly established in the world's top ten and only needs a Grand Slam breakthrough to further enhance his reputation as one of the stars in the game.

Jason Day to see action at the British Open that begins Thursday (tomorrow).

Agence France-Presse lists Day as among "Eight to watch out for" at the British Open.

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McIlroy may be even better on return - Poulter

GULLANE, Scotland - Ian Poulter says it is a real shame Rory McIlroy will miss next week's British Open at St Andrews but he believes his Ryder Cup team mate could return to golf better than ever after his injury layoff.

Four-times major winner McIlroy, who triumphed in the Open at Royal Liverpool 12 months ago, is unable to defend his trophy after rupturing ligaments in his left ankle while playing football with his friends last weekend.

"Rory would have wanted a run at St Andrews next week, it's a good course for him," Poulter told Reuters in an interview during the Scottish Open at Gullane.

"There is not a lot of danger down the left half of the course. He hits it right to left off the tee so he would definitely have been licking his chops (lips) at the prospect.

"It's a shame the injury has taken him out. It will be hard for him to sit at home and watch it on TV but sometimes these things happen and it makes you come back even stronger," added Poulter.

"He's sitting there as world number one right now so a guy like him, as good as he is, coming back potentially stronger, is something we're all going to have to watch out for."

McIlroy has been criticised for playing football with a major championship just around the corner but Poulter said the 26-year-old Northern Irishman had simply been unfortunate.

"You can wrap yourself up in cotton wool for the rest of your life if you want but having a little kickaround with your mates, I would have said 999 times out of 1,000 you are good," said Europe's Ryder Cup talisman.

"He got unlucky, it was just one of those situations that's caught him out. It was a freak accident but accidents happen," added Poulter who missed the cut at the Scottish Open after rounds of 70 and 71 gave him a one-over total of 141.

The injury has deprived the golfing world of a potential shootout between British Open and U.S. PGA champion McIlroy and American Jordan Spieth, 21, who has won this year's U.S. Masters and U.S. Open.

GOOD HANDS

Poulter said the contrast in styles between the two youngsters was particularly interesting.

"With Rory and Jordan being ranked number one and two in the world, golf is in good hands," he said. "We've got two fantastic players up there at the forefront.

"You've also got two slightly different players. Rory hits the ball 350 yards and Jordan holes putts from 350 yards," Poulter joked. "It's kind of a good mix."

Like Spieth, the Englishman is renowned as an excellent putter and never was that facet of his game better illustrated than at the 2012 Ryder Cup in Chicago when he holed five birdie putts in as many holes in the Saturday afternoon fourballs.

The 39-year-old Poulter has won 12 times on the European Tour, including two World Golf Championship events, and said he was not stressing about the fact he has yet to land a major victory.

"I'm getting on, getting ever older," laughed the world number 28. "If I hung up my boots today I could quite happily sit at home and be a very happy man.

"What I've achieved has been pretty good. I don't believe I'm finished, I think I've still got quite a lot to offer.

"Not only would I like to add more general tournament wins to my tally, I'd like to add some majors as well. If I did that I would be a very, very happy camper," said Poulter.

"If not I can sit at home and certainly say I've given it a great run. I'm quite happy with the trophy cabinet right now but I've left some space for extra additions."

Poulter made his British Open debut at St Andrews 15 years ago and has twice come close to winning golf's oldest major.

"I was runner-up in 2008 and tied for third in 2013, close but no cigar so it would be nice to swap the silver salver for the silver jug at some stage," he said smiling.

"I understand more about my game now than I did 15 years ago. I'm older and wiser in some respects and I feel my game is stronger than it was.

"When I get into certain positions these days I like to think I'm more equipped to take on certain challenges and hopefully I can do that next week," said Poulter.

Poulter was speaking after handing over the "captaincy" of the online Ballantine's Golf Club (www.ballantinesgolfclub.com) to Europe's triumphant 2014 Ryder Cup skipper Paul McGinley. (Editing by Ken Ferris)

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Injury rules holder McIlroy out of British Open

LONDON - Rory McIlroy will not defend his British Open title at St Andrews next week after announcing on Wednesday he did not want to risk further damage to the ankle ligaments he ruptured playing football last weekend.

The world number one's presence at the spiritual home of golf had looked extremely doubtful after he suffered the injury in a kickabout with friends and posted a picture of himself wearing a protective plastic boot and his withdrawal was duly confirmed on his Instagram account.

"After much consideration I have decided not to play in the Open Championship at St. Andrews," the Northern Irishman wrote.

"I'm taking a long-term view of this injury and, although rehab is progressing well, I want to come back to tournament play when I feel 100 percent healthy and 100 percent competitive."

McIlroy's potential showdown with double major winner Jordan Spieth was expected to be the highlight of the Open but the American will now start the tournament as the favourite.

Spieth is one of several players who have come to McIlroy's defence after the usual social media "storm" questioning the wisdom of him playing football on an astroturf pitch so close to the Open.

Spieth said this week that he happily plays basketball with his caddie and also revealed a near miss on a fishing trip after he won the US Open last month when a shark took a tuna he was trying to reel in and almost pulled him overboard.

Phil Mickelson, speaking ahead of the Scottish Open which begins on Thursday, said he missed the 1994 Masters after breaking his leg in a skiing accident.

"I said then, and I feel the same way now, you can't live your life in fear," said the American. "You have to enjoy the moment. I didn't feel like he (McIlroy) was doing anything that was an unnecessary risk. He was just playing around and accidents happen.

"People get hurt taking a shower and doing normal day-to-day things. You can't stop living your life."

Justin Rose took a similar view, suggesting that total focus on golf could be counter-productive.

"It's a tough question, before a major championship...it's probably the last time he does play football in the middle of season," said Rose, who is back at Gullane to defend his Scottish Open title.

"But he likes to have fun. He likes to get his mind away from golf. I think he's the kind of guy that, if he practiced 24/7 and got too much in his own head, it's not going to help him."

(Editing by Ken Ferris and Toby Davis)

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