Another victory was close Sunday for Jordan Spieth, but the reigning Masters champion hardly sounded despondent over a final-round 65 at Muirfield Village that came up short.
Sure, a shot here, a shot there over the course of four rounds, and it's Spieth who might have been getting congratulations from tournament founder Jack Nicklaus at the Memorial on Sunday.
Instead, Spieth, 21, continues preparation for the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay with plenty of confidence, having tied for third, 2 shots out of a playoff between Justin Rose and David Lingmerth that the Swede won on the third extra hole.
"To go four rounds at par or better on this course is special. It was nice," Spieth said. "It was set up a little easier the first couple of rounds. I'm not sure if there is a method to the madness, but if I can keep those rounds going the next four out at Chambers Bay, I'll be in good shape."
Spieth will try to become the first player since Tiger Woods in 2002 to win the Masters and U.S. Open in the same year.
And the Texan has a bit of a head start on the competition, as he at least has some first-hand knowledge of the U.S. Open venue. Spieth played in the 2010 U.S. Amateur at Chambers Bay and his caddie, Michael Greller, lives near the course.
Figure on hearing about that storyline as
the U.S. Open approaches, but you can bet Spieth is more concerned about
getting his game in shape. Without that, all the course knowledge in
the world will not matter.