Jordan Spieth over Masters collapse ahead of US Open defence

By Stephen Turner

Image: Jordan Spieth pictured during a practice round at Oakmont ahead of this week's US Open

Jordan Spieth says his Masters meltdown is behind him as he prepares to defend his title at this week's US Open.

The world No 2 heads to Oakmont as defending champion - the same position he was in at Augusta National back in the spring.

Spieth appeared a certainty to retain the Green Jacket when he led by five shots with nine holes to play, only for a spectacular collapse to hand Danny Willett the title.

Jordan Spieth wants to treat this year's US Open in Oakmont as any other tournament, as he aims to defend his title.

The American faced another test of nerve at Colonial last month and came up with three closing birdies to win his first title since that Masters disappointment.

And ahead of the season's second major he said: "Honestly, I think it [the Masters] is out of our heads now just from that one experience at Colonial.

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Image: Spieth poses with the trophy after winning in 2015

"If you're coming off kind of a heartbreaking loss, getting back into contention can be fearful, and you've just got to push through the fear. When I say the fear, the potential for bad memories to pop up, right?

"And I feel like we got through that. Although our last major we were in contention was the Masters, I think I'll be able to draw on a lot of pretty special major experiences if I can't bring it off the Colonial experience itself.

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"It was definitely difficult at Colonial. I really felt it there and that was a huge week, especially to win before any of the next majors ... to actually win a tournament.

"Not just contend, but to actually close one out. So now I can draw back on those last few holes, the pressure that I felt and the speed control and kind of the control of the ball to the most minute detail."

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