Spieth hoping for Austin advantage at WGC-Dell Match Play

Jordan Spieth knows how the putts break at Austin Country Club, and that should only improve his putting proclivity this week at the WGC-Dell Match Play.

In his three semesters at the University of Texas, Spieth played the course often — he reckons once or twice each week.

“It’s a place I’m very familiar with, and I feel I have an advantage at,” he said Tuesday.

Spieth, who is expecting gusty winds and firm greens, echoed the sentiments of other players in classifying the challenge at Austin Country Club as finding the proper position off the tee. It’s not a course that particularly favors long hitters but rather players who can set up their approach shots with the tee ball.

The key for Spieth is to get off to a good start. He’s guaranteed three matches in the round-robin group format, but if he opens with a thud like he has in two of his last three events, there’s a chance he’ll fall behind with two matches remaining.

While Spieth may well have a college town edge, the world No. 1 said he still feels a little like a tourist. He’s not crashing at a friend’s house.

“I’m not used to staying in a hotel in Austin,” Spieth said. “I used to come back here and stay on my buddies’ couches when I came back.”

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

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