Relaxed Spieth unfazed by poor form ahead of the Masters

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Houston, March 29: Jordan Spieth insists he's happy to go under the radar for the Masters as he looks to rediscover his putting form ahead of Augusta.

Spieth - who has managed just two top-10 finishes so far in 2018 - will tee it up at the Houston Open on Thursday in his final outing before the first major of the season.

The 24-year-old failed to make it out of his group at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play last week but refuses to be too concerned by recent results.

The 2015 Masters champion highlighted his performance two years ago - when he let slip a five-shot lead in the final round to finish in a tie for second - as an example of how quickly things can turn around.

"I've gone into Augusta feeling lower than I am this second," Spieth told the media.

"In 2016 I was hitting it horrendously going into Augusta. I'm striking the ball a lot better now, but I just putted extremely well, starting from the first round there, in 2016.

"To be able to compete next week, it doesn't make a difference what happens here [in Houston].

"I don't care either way [about being one of the favourites]. We believe that if we go by our step-by-step goal and check all the boxes next week, we have a chance to win."

A relaxed Spieth declared himself in a "good place" after putting in plenty of work ahead of a crucial few weeks in the golfing calendar.

The world number four has unusually struggled on the greens but has seen positive signs in practice.

"It's simple stuff – set-up stuff that’s just got off and I haven't quite figured out how to consistently get it back on," he revealed.

"I'm getting there and putting a lot of work in. If it comes by this week, or next week, then great. If it doesn't, it'll come soon. I'm going to stay the course.

"I’ve got 20-plus more years out here [on the tour] and a few months of set-up stuff isn't going to derail confidence. It has a little bit this year, but I'm in a good place right now.

"I know I've got time on my side and these couple of weeks aren't the be-all and end-all of my career. Therefore, I'm not going to let it take over me.

"But I'm going to put in a lot of work in to be ready for it, because I'm going to have time afterwards to rest."

Source: OPTA