Jordan Spieth says he is no longer focused on reclaiming golf's number-one ranking as he prepares to tee it up at the Phoenix Open.
Three-time major champion Spieth is third in the world rankings, behind Dustin Johnson and Jon Rahm, having previously topped the list for parts of 2015 and 2016.
Yet when he was asked about the prospect of returning to the summit, the 24-year-old Texan told reporters at a news conference: "It's not even a goal or on a radar for me anymore."
Spieth added: "It was something I wanted to do as a goal and if I were to take care of the other goals, then that becomes something with it.
"I took great pride in getting there, but ... I'm [now] focused on other things."
Johnson has held top spot for almost a year, while previous incumbent Jason Day also enjoyed a near 12-month reign as number one.
However, prior to that, the position changed hands on a regular basis and Spieth appears to feel the achievement is no longer as significant as it once was.
"I honestly think guys would have actually taken more pride if they were to dethrone Tiger [Woods] back in the day than they would getting the number-one right now, to be honest," he explained.
"There are a number of people that can do it depending upon how the major season goes this year."
This week's event is renowned for the party atmosphere at Scottsdale's par-three 16th, but Spieth has not adjusted his preparation in readiness for the raucous scenes.
"The last few years it's been madness around the groups that we're in as we get to the last few holes anyway," he added.
"We're pretty in the zone once the turn starts. So nothing really has to change as far as the mindset. [It's] just the boos you got to get adjusted to, that we don't normally hear."
Comments
SHARE