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Jordan Spieth is returning to the first Open Championship on Merseyside since lifting the Claret Jug at Royal Birkdale in 2017.

Spieth has threatened a victory all season and will be desperate to finally get back in the winner’s circle in the most historic championship of them all at Royal Liverpool.

The three-time major champion has concluded that playing the Scottish Open the week before the final major of the season is the ideal build-up for the fascinating links test that awaits.

bunkered.co.uk caught up with the Rolex Testimonee to hear about his favourite Open memories and his preparations for the final major of the year at Hoylake.

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What experience do you have of Royal Liverpool?

I played The Open at Royal Liverpool in 2014. It has a bit more air then a typical links course. I felt that it was extremely beneficial to be over and have the chance to adjust to different conditions like the weather and time difference. I have always found that the best preparation is being able to play and win at a tournament the week before or close to an event. It allows you to build up confidence and to start the tournament with total trust in your abilities without having over-worked them.

I have noticed that because of my love for it, whether a golf course fits my eye or not, I find a way to find a shot that makes sense to a hole. I find some comfort in links golf, and I look forward to continuing to try to be more successful over there. As far as preparation goes, this last year was the first year I played the Scottish Open the week before The Open. I found that beneficial so I will probably look t continue to do that over the next few seasons.

Do you enjoy playing links golf? How does your preparation have to change and how hard is it to adapt to playing in the different conditions?

I have always loved playing links golf. I fell in love with links golf when I was 14 years old when I came over to England for the first time and witnessed it. I love the imagination that is needed on the course and particularly around the greens and with the different flights you get to hit with the golf ball. Even though they are normally relatively flat pieces of land, you have to play with so much feel in order to be successful – especially as the conditions get worse or change. You generally get to experience all four seasons in one day whilst playing and this is something that you do not get anywhere else.

What are your favourite memories from playing at The Open?

My first experience of The Open was at Muirfield and it still remains a great memory. I didn’t get in until the Sunday night from the John Deere Classic. I was originally not expecting to be in the tournament but then all of a sudden, I was on a plane with no long-sleeved shirts, heading over to Scotland! I was hoping that someone would lend me the necessary clothes for me to play a practice round on the Tuesday. It was my first Open Championship experience.

I had some family and friends over as well and that was a fun week because I had just won my first professional event. I also was able to enjoy The Open without much expectation. I was able to go to the pub, explore the town, try the local food and witness the grandstands that make The Open so special.

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In terms of other memories, three editions really stand out and those are 2013, 2015 and 2017. 2015 was the year that I had a chance at The Old Course and being in contention at such a historic course is so unique and special. I was going for three in a row at the time after winning the Masters Tournament and the U.S. Open that year.

Then obviously, the one at Birkdale in 2017 having closed that one out. When I think back to my favourite Open Championship experience, I actually look at all three pretty equally.

Who has been the biggest influence on your golf career?

Tiger Woods has been the biggest influence on my golf career. My dad has had a big impact on me as well. He was the one who encouraged me to startplaying the game, provided me with the opportunities and helped me set goals. In terms of Tiger, his prime years coincided with when I was really starting to love the game and was becoming really focused on trying to be the best that I could be.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

It is making me think of a Harvey Penick quote that Justin Leonard said: “Speak softly and carry a big stick — you will go far”. That is a good piece of advice, but I do not follow it as closely as I should!

Jordan Spieth

Jordan Spieth was speaking to bunkered.co.uk as a Rolex Testimonee. His association with the brand began back in 2013.

“When I won The Open in 2017, Rolex gifted me the Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II in white gold,” he recalled. “It is really special and holds great significance to me because there is also “2015 Masters and U.S. Open Champion” engraved on the back of it. I was not expecting this to be gifted and it came as an incredible surprise.”