LOS ANGELES — Jordan Spieth tees it up Thursday in the US PGA Tour’s Houston Open seeking to build momentum for defending his Masters title. “There’s a lot I need to do this week to better prepare for the Masters and feel that I have the confidence to win. Or at least kind of take it to another level,” said Spieth, who was ousted in the round of 16 at last week’s WGC Match Play, where eventual winner Jason Day supplanted Spieth atop the world rankings.
Since opening 2016 with a victory in the Tournament of Champions, Spieth hasn’t had a top-15 finish in four PGA stroke-play events this year. He’d like to reverse that trend heading to Augusta National.
Spieth said that after work with coach Cameron McCormick his swing is “right where we want it to be going into the Masters.”
Phil Mickelson is among five former Masters winners that will tee it up on the par-72 course whose set up will offer a similar test to that of Augusta National.
Ko in top form
World No. 1 Lydia Ko is riding high heading into this week’s first major of the year, but the New Zealand teenager says she’s under no pressure at the ANA Inspiration in the California desert.
So far in 2016 Ko has yet to finish outside the top 15 in six global starts, defending her title in the New Zealand Women’s Open in February on the Ladies European Tour.
She notched her 11th LPGA title at the Kia Classic in Carlsbad, California, Sunday.
She finished tied for 51st at Mission Hills last year — when she was chasing Annika Sorenstam’s record for consecutive rounds under par and speculation was swirling as to when she would break through for her first major.
She eventually ticked that box in September with a victory at the Evian Championship, breaking Morgan Pressel’s record as the youngest major winner.
Ko’s challengers include defending champion Brittany Lincicome. She will tee off Thursday alongside world No. 3 and 2014 champion Lexi Thompson. World No. 2 Park In-bee of South Korea will play the first two rounds alongside American Brittany Lang.
