Jordan Spieth’s dreams of becoming the first golfer to win all four major championships in the same year ended at St Andrews on Monday.
The 21-year-old Texan came up one shot shy of earning his place in the four-hole playoff that decided the Open Championship after his approach to the final green spun back into the “Valley of Sin” below the hole.
Spieth’s birdie attempt came up agonisingly close, ensuring he was left to rue the chances that went begging during the dramatic final round.
Compatriot Zach Johnson eventually lifted the Claret Jug having outlasted 2010 winner Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman in the playoff.
Spieth admitted afterwards he had plenty regrets over how the final round played out.
“Right now it’s a tough feeling to be that close in a major,” said Spieth.
“To be that close on our biggest stage and come up short, how many chances do you get? It’s tough to swallow.”
Spieth uncharacteristically four-putted on the par three 8th hole to record a double bogey that threatened to scupper his chances.
He showed his resolve with back-to-back birdies on his next two holes and when he rolled in another birdie on the 16 he found himself sharing the lead.
A dropped shot at the tough Road Hole meant he needed a closing birdie but he was up against it after an errant drive.
“Who would have thought a drive on 18 was going to be what really hurt me at the end there,” he said. “It’s kind of hard to not hit a good one on that hole. I just wish I had given myself a little better opportunity.”
Spieth says he will now take a couple of weeks off before preparing for the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in August, the season’s final major championship.
Meanwhile, the USA are 1.40 to win the 2015 Presidents Cup with the Rest of the World at 3.25 and the draw 15.00.
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