Photo Credit, Golfweek.com
By Undre Smith_ossports.net
Three late birdies and an eagle too much for Kuchar to overcome
Despite trailing by a shot after a 13th-hole bogey, Spieth’s brilliant play on the final five holes paid off as he won the 146th British Open with a three shot lead over Matt Kuchar at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England on Sunday evening.
With the win, Speith is ranked No. 2 in the world and will look to win the PGA Championships next month.
One of Spieth’s rough moments led to a bogey on the 13th hole, but his presence of mind helped him recover after trailing by one shot. A par 4 tee-shot on 13, went sour, 80 yards right of the fairway which left Spieth to settle for a bogey. He ended up with a line-of-sight relief, an unplayable lie after speaking with officials. He asked if the driving range was out of bounds. The answer was no. Then the turning point began with his shot from the driving range.
He went on to birdie on the 14th hole and grab a one-shot lead before an eagle on 15. The par 5, 55-foot putt was a thing of beauty. Spieth, full emotion after the shot, told his caddie to go get the ball out of the hole.
Following, the 23-year-old matched birdies with Kuchar on the 16th hole while holding a two shot lead.
Spieth’s accomplishment puts him the among some of the past greats. Such are, winning three majors at the age of 23 with only Jack Nicklaus accomplishing it at that age. He is also the youngest player to win the British Open since 1907.
Kuchar, who led by one shot after the 13th, had no answer for the surging Spieth. Two late pars coming in the final four holes of play made the difference down the stretch.
