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Open Championship power rankings: Top ten at Royal Birkdale

By Brandon Raper

SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: The Claret Jug, the Open Championship trophy, in front of the clubhouse at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, the host course for the 2017 Open Championship during a Media day for the 146th Open Championship on April 24, 2017 in Southport, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: The Claret Jug, the Open Championship trophy, in front of the clubhouse at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, the host course for the 2017 Open Championship during a Media day for the 146th Open Championship on April 24, 2017 in Southport, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /
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CROMWELL, CT – JUNE 25: Jordan Spieth of the United States celebrates with caddie Michael Greller after chipping in for birdie from a bunker on the 18th green to win the Travelers Championship in a playoff against Daniel Berger of the United States (not pictured) at TPC River Highlands on June 25, 2017 in Cromwell, Connecticut. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /

Jordan Spieth hasn’t played since winning the Travelers Championship with that epic bunker shot on the first extra hole. What did he do with all that time off? If you aren’t following him on Instagram, this slideshow should speak for itself.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWQQQa_BHVq/

Now, when it comes to the Open, Spieth is a bit of a tougher nut to crack. We all remember 2015, don’t we? Fresh off his down-to-the-wire victory over Dustin Johnson at Chambers Bay, Spieth headed to St. Andrews with the world expecting him to win the third leg of the Grand Slam. And, even though the records will show that he finished that week tied for fourth place, Spieth’s Sunday 69 left him just a stroke out of a playoff for the Claret Jug.

Obviously Spieth is still quite young, but with four of these under his belt, 2015 was the only time he’s ever finished higher than 30th. Some of that can be accredited to the adjustment to links-style golf from what Spieth is accustomed to playing Stateside, but that can only last so long.

What will help Spieth? Royal Birkdale sets up well for what he does – pure iron shots and world-class putting. Add to that Spieth’s uncanny ability to adapt his game to the surroundings. He’ll find a way to contend in the end.

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