Jordan Spieth on Masters: Augusta National Could Play Firmer, 'Field Makes it Easiest Major'
Jordan Spieth revealed candid insights about Augusta National and The Masters during a casual conversation at TPC Sawgrass. Despite his struggles at Sawgrass, Spieth remains confident about his chances at Augusta, where he's historically performed well regardless of form.
"I've contended there when I've had next to nothing, and there's no real reason for that," Spieth explained. He noted that driving accuracy is less crucial at Augusta compared to other majors, except perhaps The Open Championship.
Spieth shared an interesting perspective on The Masters' perceived difficulty, suggesting it might be "technically the easiest major to win" due to its smaller field size. This insight particularly relates to Rory McIlroy's quest for the career grand slam, with Spieth noting that McIlroy has performed better in technically more challenging majors.
Looking ahead to this year's Masters, Spieth anticipates firmer conditions based on current weather patterns and grass conditions. "I think the firmer ones are better Masters. Hopefully we see one this year," he said.
Key takeaways from Spieth's discussion:
- Past success at Augusta doesn't require peak form
- The Masters' smaller field size makes it statistically easier to win
- Course conditions appear to be trending toward a firmer setup
- Driving accuracy is less critical at Augusta compared to other majors
Throughout the conversation, Spieth emphasized that while The Masters generates the most attention in golf, its significance sometimes gets "blown up more than it probably should be."