A New Story at The Old Course

It was an entertaining Open Championship with Jordan Spieth’s run and a couple of amateurs in contention. So what was learned?
A New Story at The Old Course
The scoreboard shows just how close Jordan Spieth was to winning his third straight major championship. Matthew Lewis/Getty Images
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St. Andrews, Scotland—This year’s Open Championship at the famed Old Course at St. Andrews showed a clear new direction for golf on several fronts. With the completion of this year’s third major championship the scene will shift back to America in August for the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. So what was learned?

Zach Johnson showed skills in the short game still matter a great deal. In winning his second major event, Johnson excelled in all areas of the short game—most notably for solid putting in making a slew of key putts when many had simply dismissed his chances with the start of the final round. In sum, while power provides an eye-appeal it’s attention to the details where scoring counts the most that still matters when earning a major title.

Zach Johnson won the Claret Jug after coming out on top of the three-way playoff on day five of the 2015 British Open Golf Championship on The Old Course at St Andrews. (Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images)
Zach Johnson won the Claret Jug after coming out on top of the three-way playoff on day five of the 2015 British Open Golf Championship on The Old Course at St Andrews. Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images
M. James Ward
M. James Ward
Author
Ward is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America and Met Golf Writers Association. He has covered over 100 major championships and 12 Ryder Cup Matches. His golf acumen extends to architecture/travel, equipment, apparel, and general interest stories as well as in-depth interviews with the leading participants and influencers in the sport.
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