3 minute read
Three-time major winner Jordan Spieth missed his fourth cut of the US PGA Tour season with a poor ball-striking display at the Travelers Championship.
Jordan Spieth admits an embarrassing missed cut at the Travelers Championship may force him to take several weeks off before next month's British Open, as his winless drought approaches two years.
Spieth, who won the Travelers in 2017 in a play-off, posted lacklustre rounds of 73, 69 to finish at two-over-par - forcing an early exit from the US PGA Tour event in Connecticut.
Winless worldwide since capturing his third major title at the British Open in July 2017, Spieth missed his fourth cut on the US PGA Tour this season courtesy of poor ball-striking at TPC River Highlands.
Spieth hit just 50 per cent of his greens in regulation in two rounds and 18 of 28 fairways.
The Travelers is played at the birdie-friendly TPC River Highlands and, at 6,841 yards, it is the second-shortest course on the PGA Tour.
"I'm not anywhere near where I want it to be," 11-time PGA Tour winner Spieth said on Friday.
"I need to gain significant control of the golf ball tee to green."
Asked why his ball-striking was off, two-time Australian Open winner Spieth said he was undergoing "drastic" swing changes that were difficult to commit to under tournament pressure.
Spieth has been coached by US-based Australian Cameron McCormick since his early teens.
"My iron and wedge play is ... way below my normal standard, and so that needs to significantly improve," Spieth said.
"The things I've been working on are so drastic that it's just really difficult to try and play through.
"On and around greens, I'm in a better place than I've been in the last couple years going into the British (Open).
"Hopefully, a little reset button helps and (I can) nail down what I've been working on."
Having plummeted to 29th on the world rankings, former No.1 Spieth said he was leaning towards taking a month off before the British Open at Northern Ireland's Royal Portrush, which is the final major of the year.
The only tournament before the UK major Spieth would consider playing is the John Deere Classic in the US, which he won in 2013 and 2015.
"I'm not sure yet; I may or may not play the John Deere," Spieth said.
"I'm kind of up in in the air right now.
"I'll get some time off here. I don't know how much yet, but (I will) get away from the game and then try to finish the year strong."
