With monkey off back, Spieth eyes Masters

Former Masters champion Jordan Spieth has shaken the “monkey off his back” following a first win in almost four years but feels he must improve to reach the level which brought him three major titles.

The former world No.1 slumped to 92nd in the rankings as recently as February but since then he has recorded four straight top-15 finishes.

His victory at the Valero Texas Open on Sunday was his first since the 2017 Open but Spieth said surprisingly he wasn’t too overwhelmed with emotion despite his journey.

“I was happy that it didn’t hit me that hard, that it felt more normal, that it felt like this is where I’m supposed to be,” he said.

“Sometimes you lose confidence and there’s a little chink in the armour here and there and that’s what I’d experienced.

“I wanted that monkey off my back of it being a while out of the winner’s circle. It’s about refocusing here and taking the next step.

“It’s actually been a lot easier for me over the last 12 hours to look forward versus looking back. That’s exciting. I feel there’s quite a few things that I need to improve on and get better.”

Spieth now looks ahead to the Masters and his renaissance and superb record at Augusta National has made him joint-second favourite behind defending champion Dustin Johnson.

The 27-year-old finished second on his Masters debut in 2014, won the title in 2015 and was runner-up the following year after squandering a five-shot lead with nine holes to play.

The fairytale version of events would see Spieth complete his return to form with a second Masters green jacket this week, although the American is taking nothing for granted.

“I certainly wouldn’t mind that this week, if that’s what you’re asking,” he said with a smile.

“I also like to step back and think I’m 27 and a lot of people’s careers get started at 27 in this sport. Phil (Mickelson) was 31 or something (33) when he won his first major.

“I like the progress that I’m making. I don’t feel like I have the control of all facets of the game that I want to have yet, but I feel like I’m working in the right direction.”