Jordan Spieth believes Augusta will be a tougher challenge at this year's Masters
Thursday 3 March 2016 12:24, UK
Jordan Spieth is not expecting to see another year of record scoring at the Masters next month after he paid a visit to Augusta National last week.
Spieth took the opportunity to get in some early practice for the first major of the year ahead of this week's WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral, where he will play the first two rounds with Jason Day and Rory McIlroy.
The world No 1 romped to victory at last year's Masters as he posted a record-equalling score of 18 under par, although the greens in particular were softer and slower than in previous seasons.
But Spieth feels the tournament officials are keen to avoid a repeat performance this year, revealing that the putting surfaces were significantly harder and faster.
"This is a common trip we normally make before coming down here," Spieth said. "It's the third year in a row now. I also go in December, and I like to get there a couple of times, get on the grounds, and in December, it was very, very special. It was again this time - it's a different feeling being on the grounds having won that tournament.
"Like I've said a million times now, it was a dream come true for me. It was my favourite tournament in the world and so to come close, miss out and then to be able to come back the next year and finish strong, that was just fantastic and something I'll never forget.
"So when I'm there, all that comes back to me. It's a really special place for me, and I'm really happy to be going back there as long as I'm capable of playing golf.
"The golf course looks very similar, it's even in better shape before the event than it has been the last couple of years. But the greens were very, very quick and very healthy, so I've got a feeling that they are not going to want 18 under to win again. I've got a feeling it might be playing a little more challenging this year."
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Spieth took a week off after missing the cut at the Northern Trust Open, where he opened with an erratic 79 and was unable to avoid a weekend off despite a substantial improvement on Friday at Riviera, but he is confident of bouncing back over the Blue Monster layout at Doral.
"I've been working pretty hard on my game over the last week and a half to try to get it ready for a challenging golf course," Spieth added. "Only the scores will end up telling, but I feel better about my game. I feel better about the way I'm going to attack these next couple of weeks considering they are very challenging golf courses.
"I felt I was maybe playing a little too aggressive in LA, and I'll come in with a little different attitude, really respect the golf courses a bit more here."
The current top three in the world rankings have played together as a threesome only once in competition at last year's Players Championship, but Spieth insists there is no extra motivation from featuring in such a marquee group.
"Does it add to anything? Honestly, at a World Golf Championship, we prepare for these and we think of these as a step below a major championship," he said. "Everyone's fighting for the same prize, and when we get out there, we're playing our own game.
"I don't think any of us are buying into any added motivation or excitement based on a pairing. I don't think we would at any point. I'm not trying to downplay it. It's going to be a lot of fun, because I enjoy playing with both of them, but I don't think anyone's buying into the "big three".
"I've spent a good amount of time on this stage saying that I don't think that's a necessary comparison when you look at the big three from the past. But yeah, we'll have a good time."
