US Open: Jordan Spieth relishing the mental challenge at Erin Hills
By Keith Jackson
Last Updated: 13/06/17 10:37pm
Jordan Spieth is prepared for the toughest mental test in golf as he bids to win a second US Open title at Erin Hills this week.
Spieth followed up his 2015 Masters victory with his second major title at Chambers Bay, similar in style to this week's venue, when Dustin Johnson three-putted the final green to gift the tournament to his fellow American.
Johnson atoned for his series of near-misses with an outstanding performance on the final day at Oakmont last season to earn his major breakthrough, while Spieth was runner-up at the 2015 PGA Championship and last year's Masters but has not posted a top-10 finish since.
The lengthy and hilly Erin Hills layout is certain to provide a physical challenge to the 156-man field in Wisconsin this week, but Spieth insists overcoming the mental challenge is even more important.
"It's just a mental test, you're dealing with the mental side of the game more than any other tournament," said the 23-year-old. "It's always a physical test. It's a big golf course, it's a tough one to walk, and the rough is always thick. You're just putting more effort into each round.
"But then most of all it certainly tests the mental game more than any other place in golf. And I've witnessed that on both sides of things.
"If you came for a stress-free tournament you didn't come to the right place, and we know that going in - I think everybody does. So you just prepare accordingly, and you just try to have a level of patience."
Spieth's views were echoed by Jason Day, who outlined the importance of going into the US Open with a positive attitude rather than being distracted by the difficulties of the course.
Some of the field have been critical of the thick, deep fescue grass at Erin Hills, but the Australian said: "Usually when you hear people complain, it's one less guy you have to worry about at the start of the week.
"Their attitude makes up for at least 25 per cent of your performance, and if you have the right attitude going in for the week, great. But you've still got to execute and know that there's a lot of other players that have good attitudes as well that are coming into the week.
"Everyone is going to run into some sort of trouble out there, everyone is. It's a matter of how you handle yourself in that moment to prepare yourself to greatness. I'd much rather the course was harder than easier. Tough conditions, windy conditions, rain whatever it is, as long as it's harder, I feel like I play a lot better in conditions like that.
"It brings in the mental aspect as well and the USGA do a fantastic job not only testing the physical side, the mental side of things, but also the whole game and the state of your game. The person that wins at the end of the week they want everything firing right at the right time."
