The Open: Jordan Spieth's 66 moves him within reach of St Andrews leaders
Last Updated: 19/07/15 8:56pm
Jordan Spieth's quest for the 2015 Grand Slam continued as he moved within sight of the leaders after three rounds at the 144th Open.
Spieth produced some superb golf in Sunday's third round at St Andrews, carding seven birdies in a six under 66 to put himself into one of the last groups out in Monday's delayed final 18 holes.
The Masters and US Open champion birdied the first and picked up further shots at the fifth and ninth, before dropping a shot at the ninth, where he took out his frustration on his golf bag.
But his brief outburst clearly paid dividends as Spieth claimed birdies at the next three holes, with another shot being picked up at the 15th before he parred home to reach 11 under after 54 holes.
The 21-year-old Texan was delighted to be back firmly in contention for a third straight major, but he felt he failed to take full advantage of excellent scoring conditions on the outward half and admitted he let his frustration boil over after he failed to save par at the ninth.
"Walking off of the ninth green was as frustrated as I've been in a tournament other than off of 14 yesterday morning. Those two moments were as frustrated as I've been," he said.
To be at two under when the front nine is gettable and it's as easy as the conditions get, I was extremely frustrated there. To bounce back on the back nine was huge
Jordan Spieth
"I don't normally ever display frustration - I did both times. I couldn't hold it in. I think I punched my golf bag. I wasn't going to break a club or anything or throw a club, but I didn't want to hit (caddy) Michael, so I figured I'd hit my golf bag.
Big par saves
"To be at two under at that point, when the front nine is gettable and it's as easy as the conditions get, I was extremely frustrated there. To bounce back on the back nine was huge. I really needed to see some putts go, and I saw not only birdie putts but I saw a par save on 13, par save on 17.
"Those were big, big putts for me. It was huge for my confidence and it's big for me going into tomorrow."
Spieth also insisted the pressure of attempting to become only the third player in history to win three majors in a calendar year has been a positive experience at St Andrews.
He said: "I don't look at it as a negative thing, I look at it almost as an advantage. Why should it add more pressure in a negative way? If it adds more pressure, it just makes me feel like this is something that's a little more special, let's go ahead and get the job done.
"I know it's easier said than done, but when you say added pressure, most people associate that with negativity or something that can hinder what's comfortable. For me, I think it could be advantageous."
Spieth faces an unexpected challenge from Irish amateur Paul Dunne, who ended the day in a share of the lead after matching his 66.
"I would say I'm not extremely surprised," said Spieth. "I think in years to come you're going to see more and more of it. The amateur game has changed to be more like the professional game.
"There's some great players. There will be an amateur that wins a PGA event or something like that, possibly even a major, I think, at some point in the next decade. I think it's awesome for guys to step up and do this."
