The American golfer Jordan Spieth says not being overwhelmed by the history of St Andrews will be a bigger challenge than overcoming the pressure of being the British Open's pre-tournament favourite.
Jordan Spieth Photo: Photosport
If the 21-year-old lifts the Claret Jug, he will become the first winner of golf's first three major tournaments of the year - the Masters, the U.S. Open and the British Open in 61 years.
Ben Hogan was the last to do it in 1953.
Spieth said St Andrews is a unique and intimidating place.
"I look at this as trying to win the Open Championship at a very special place."
"That's the hardest thing for me is going to be forgetting about where you are because being here at St. Andrews and looking at the past champions and who wins Open Championships here, that's elite company, that's something I'm just going to have to forget about more than the other two majors I think."
If Spieth also wins the PGA tournament next month in Wisconsin, he will stand alone as the only man to win all four professional majors in one year, golf's fabled grand slam.
The British Open starts late tonight.
Until two weeks ago the Open, promised the added allure of a Rory McIlroy-Spieth showdown.
The 26-year-old McIlroy won the last two majors of 2014 before Spieth took the first two of 2015.
But the world number one Northern Irishman injured his ankle playing football with friends and withdrew from the British Open.
