Spieth excited to ‘tear up’ golf course, put 2016 meltdown behind him

Jordan Spieth has time, and history, on his side.

The 23-year-old, whose early success at the Masters is unmatched, said Tuesday that he understands he won’t be in contention every time at Augusta National.

He was talking about “over the course of decades.” He is guaranteed entry as the 2015 Masters champion until he doesn’t want to play, which is probably never or, as he put it, “as many years until the day I get a letter saying, ‘We would appreciate if you sat this one out.’”

PHOTOS: Spieth's Tuesday practice round

In the meantime, Spieth is focused on winning this year’s tournament and putting last year further in the past. Perhaps then, questions will stop about his quadruple-bogey 7 at No. 12 as he blew a five-shot lead.

Despite settling himself after No. 12, Spieth couldn’t catch the new leader, Danny Willett, and finished tied for second. The defending champion helped the Englishman don the green jacket. It appeared awkward, and it definitely stung.

Spieth handled the ceremony with class, and later put the 2016 Masters in perspective.

“It is one of the many tournaments I’ve lost given a certain performance on a hole or a stretch of holes,” he said. “It happens in this game.

“I’m excited about the opportunity ahead, which is now I can go back and really tear this golf course up.”

He has “torn up” the course in his three previous appearances, tying for second in 2014 and 2016 sandwiched around a wire-to-wire victory when at one point he reached a record 19-under par and later tied Tiger Woods’ scoring record at 18-under 270. He had led for a record seven consecutive rounds going into the final round of 2016.

Then No. 12 happened. He’s packed a lot into a short time.

“This place has an interesting and incredible history in my life,” he said. “Just in three years of playing it, I’ve grown as a golfer significantly out here.”

He’s shown maturity dealing with the lows as well as the highs. He appreciates that spectators cheered and stood for him as he attempted to rally last year, calling it “one of the coolest moments I’ve ever had at the Masters.”

Spieth also can maintain a sense of humor, fully aware of the heightened attention on everything he does this week at No. 12, including Tuesday’s practice round when he made a birdie putt of about a foot.

“I tapped it in, Arnie (Palmer) style,” he said. “I turned to the crowd and said, ‘I really could have used that one about 12 months ago,’ to some significant laughter.”