Jordan Spieth Says Masters Catastrophe Is Behind Him

In the past month since his early back-nine collapse on Sunday in the Masters Tournament — marked by two poorly struck short irons into Rae’s Creek on the 12th hole of Augusta National — that ended in a devastating loss, Spieth has hit the weight room, hit the beach, and hit the range as a way to put the experience behind him.

Jordan Spieth Says Masters Catastrophe Is Behind Him

On Wednesday, the 22-year-old Texas native insisted he’s over it, and he will now be tested once again on one of the tour’s most difficult tracks.

“People have moved on already – at least I thought so until I came in here today,” said Spieth in a news conference filled with questions regarding his experience at Augusta.

Spieth blew a five-shot lead over the final nine holes of the Masters, which led Englishman Danny Willett to overtake him with a stellar 67.

“That one is going to haunt him for a long time,” NBC and Golf Channel commentator Johnny Miller said on a conference call last week.

Spieth faced the media again on Wednesday with his typical self-confidence, but appeared slightly annoyed after being asked a second question about his ability to mentally overcome the Masters.

“I’ll just tell you that I’m not affected by it,” Spieth said. “It was the wrong miss (at 12) at the wrong time. If I hit a good shot (now) and it catches a gust and goes in the water, it’s not because of the Masters. It’s not something that was in my head. I put a bad swing on it.

“I don’t think I have anything to prove,” Spieth stated earlier. “I’ve already proven what we’re capable of doing when the pressure is on. We’ve been able to succeed in close finishes (last year’s U.S. Open) and to stretch out leads to win by four to eight shots (this year’s Hyundai Tournament of Champions).

The young golfer also added that he didn’t believe he would need to “get revenge” for anything that happened.

Spieth has also said that he is determined to get his swing back, after admitting he hasn’t quite found the same groove he had last summer and fall.

“I’ve put in a lot of hard work,” Spieth said. “It’s there on the driving range. It’s a matter of being able to trust it on the course. It’s getting closer.”

This will be Spieth’s third appearance in the Players. He tied for fourth in his first effort, but missed the cut last year before going on to capture the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay.

PHOTO: AKRON, OH – AUGUST 04: Jordan Spieth of the United States plays a shot during a practice round for the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club South Course on August 4, 2015 in Akron, Ohio. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)