Jordan Spieth Will Treat Olympics Like a Fifth Major

The American heads into the tournament as the defending champion after a sensational six stroke win past year over Rod Pampling, who was second on seven-under-par.

This must be what most PGA Tour pros see in their nightmares.

Standing in his way will be the highest ranked Aussie in the field, World Number 12 Adam Scott as well as John Senden, Marc Leishman and Geoff Ogilvy.

Its addition to the Games has been met with a mixed reaction, with 2013 Masters victor Adam Scott declaring the event was “not really a priority” for him.

“I don’t know if it is realistic to raise the bar in 2016 given what I have achieved in 2015 but I am sure it will be very close as I am always trying to get a little bit better”, he said. “Guaranteed he doesn’t like hearing that”. “I played one of the best rounds of my life when I really needed it”, Spieth yesterday told reporters at the Australian Golf Club. “I believe that my prime is ahead of me – I have to believe that – but I do”.

“There is a chance it can all come together and we can improve on previous year”.

“If I could somehow duplicate that year for the rest of my career, I’d be pretty pleased”, he conceded.

World No 1 Jordan Spieth has said he will treat golf’s re-entry into the Olympic Games next year like a “fifth major” as question marks remain about whether many other worldwide stars will commit to Rio.

Spieth looked relaxed playing a practice round yesterday with Matt and Brett Jones, the Sydney brothers who created history when they both teed up in the US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in August where Day beat Spieth to break though for his first major tournament victory.

“I’ve been asked the question: a green jacket or a gold medal, or a Wanamaker (Trophy) or an Open Championship or a gold medal? It’s not a team event in golf, I think unfortunately, but you go down there and approach it like a major”.

After a breakthrough season, Jordan Spieth revealed he expects to win at least one major in 2016.

“That’s not fair. I think this year we’re going to approach it as a fifth major and we’re going to prepare like it is and I’m going to go down there and try and take care of business”.