Spieth not inspired by marquee threesome

Jordan Spieth does not believe the world’s top three players being grouped together at the WGC-Cadillac Championship will inspire the trio to perform better.

The threesome of Spieth, Jason Day and Rory McIlroy, the world number one, two and three respectively, are sure to have the spotlight when the first World Golf Championships event of 2016 begins in Doral on Thursday.

But the 22-year-old American, who won the Masters and the U.S. Open last year, insists competing for the title won by Dustin Johnson in 2015 and a share of the US$9,500,000 prize purse on offer in Florida is a bigger motivation than outshining his immediate rivals.

“Does it add to anything? Honestly, at a World Golf Championship, we prepare for these and we think of these as a step below a major championship,” he said of the stars playing together.

“Everyone’s fighting for the same prize, and when we get out there, we’re playing our own game.

“I don’t think any of us are buying into any added motivation or excitement based on a pairing. I don’t think we would at any point. I’m not trying to downplay it.”

Spieth restated his belief any comparisons between the current top three and Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player, who dominated the sport in the 1960s, are premature.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun, because I enjoy playing with both of them [Day and McIlroy], but I don’t think anyone’s buying into the ‘big three’,” he said.

“I’ve spent a good amount of time on this stage saying that I don’t think that’s a necessary comparison when you look at the big three from the past. But yeah, we’ll have a good time.”

Spieth, having practiced at Augusta National Golf Club last week, is predicting a tougher test in this year’s Masters after a record-equalling score of 18 under par saw him claim the green jacket.

“The golf course looks very similar, it’s even in better shape before the event than it has been the last couple of years,” he said.

“But the greens were very, very quick and very healthy, so I’ve got a feeling that they are not going to want 18 under to win again. I’ve got a feeling it might be playing a little more challenging this year.”