Most golfers would be honored to be mentioned in the same breath as Tiger Woods. Then again, Jordan Spieth isn't most golfers.
2015 British Open Preview and Predictions
The 21-year-old Dallas native says it's too early in his career to be compared to Woods.
"I think the parallels that are drawn between me and Tiger are unfair," Spieth said Wednesday (via Dallas News). "I think that's something that people are looking for but is not there with anybody right now because I don't think that can be compared until at least midway through their career."
"When people ask me about those kinds of parallels, I try and shake it off because it's not the same," he added. "I'm extremely happy with where I am. But at the same time, I certainly have an appreciation for how Tiger could continue and continue and continue to keep winning majors at just an unbelievable percentage."
Except not lately.
Since his triumphant afternoon at Torrey Pines in 2008, Woods has failed to return to the summit of the PGA Tour. All four major tournaments have escaped him. Unsurprisingly, his odds (according to OddsShark.com) to win the 2015 British Open opened at 30/1.
Spieth, by comparison, is the odds-on favorite at 9/2. Should he prevail for a third consecutive major, he will become the first player to win the Masters, U.S. Open and British Open in a calendar year since Ben Hogan in 1953.
He's chasing history and well aware of that fact.
"Sure, I'm aware," Spieth said. "I like to study the history of golf, and I think it's extremely special what this year has brought to our team and to have a chance to do what only one other person in the history of golf has done doesn't come around very often. I'm sure embracing that opportunity, but by the time I start on Thursday, it won't be in my head."
"It will be about how can I bring this Open Championship down to just another event, get out there and get myself into contention."
Spieth's first step toward history will come off the tee on Thursday at 4:33 a.m. ET.
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