GULLANE, Scotland – The adventure continues for Jordan Spieth.
Following Sunday’s dramatic and life-changing victory at the John Deere Classic – a signature triumph that secured him a spot in the FedEx Cup playoffs and the Open Championship – the 19-year-old carded a stress-free 69 on Thursday at Muirfield.
His 2-under start left him tied for ninth as first-round play continued at the 142nd Open, three shots off the clubhouse lead set by Zach Johnson.
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Spieth attributed his solid start to his form lately and some much needed sleep on Wednesday. “I got about 10 hours of sleep last night which is the most I’ve gotten in a long time. This is the first day I’ve felt 100 percent,” he said.
Spieth’s whirlwind that began on Sunday and featured a race to the airport to catch the charter flight to Scotland didn’t seem to faze him despite conditions that were becoming more difficult with each gust of wind off the Firth of Forth.
“I’ve accomplished more than I thought possible for this year,” said Spieth, who had to be sent a new shipment of clothes from his sponsor this week. “I didn’t think it would happen this soon.”