Spieth to defend Australian Open title in November

Two-time Grand Slam winner  will defend his Australian Open title in Sydney in November, organisers said on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old Texan, winner of both the Masters tournament and the United States Open this year, has committed to the Australian Open at The Australian course from November 26-29.

Spieth fell just short of winning a third consecutive major in the British Open at St Andrews on Monday, finishing one shot out of a playoff, won by compatriot Zach Johnson.

Had he managed a third major in a row, Spieth would have joined Ben Hogan and set off for an unprecedented Grand Slam of professional majors at the year's remaining major, the US PGA Championship.

Spieth played one of the greatest rounds in the history of the Australian Open at The Australian course last November to win the Stonehaven Cup by six shots.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to return to Sydney," he said in a statement.

"I had a fantastic time in Australia. I can't wait to come back and hopefully defend the Stonehaven Cup."

Spieth was ranked 11th in the world when he hoisted the Stonehaven Cup, but after winning the Australian Open, The Hero World Challenge, The Valspar Championship and The Masters, he reached No.2.

His victory in the US Open at Chambers Bay in Washington recently has him within touching distance of the world No.1, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland.
Source: AFP