DUBLIN, Ohio -- Jordan Spieth knows his game needs some work between now and the upcoming U.S. Open if he's going to successfully defend his title at Oakmont.
Following rounds of 70-68-74-73 at this week's Memorial Tournament, Spieth said he needs to fine-tune his swing before the year's second major championship.
"Just continued work on my ball striking," he explained. "I drove the ball well at periods of time this week, but for the most part, driving accuracy has got to really improve, especially going into Oakmont. I'll work hard this week."
After a stretch of four events in a row that previously included a missed cut at the Players Championship, a title contention at the AT&T Byron Nelson and a victory at the Dean & DeLuca Invitational, he'll take next week off before competing in the U.S. Open.
"Didn't have my best stuff this week," he said. "We're still running on momentum. Got to get some fresh legs and get ready to go."
Spieth maintained that he likely won't switch up any equipment in his bag before his next start.
He is, however, pinpointing one club which could be a key around the punishing track.
"This driving iron, I've had in place for a while now," he said. "I thought about taking it out around the Masters because a hybrid is useful at Augusta. Kept it in and felt comfortable with it. It's a club I think, if it's firm, which I think is what everyone wants at Oakmont, could really be a useful club off the tees and more useful than a hybrid."
As for a game plan of preparation for tournament week, Spieth already has that mapped out, too. And not surprisingly, it mirrors that of last year, when he won.
"I think I'll do what we did at Chambers Bay, which I'll get in Saturday, probably front-load the work early on Saturday, Sunday, maybe a bit extra Monday, and then dial it back," he explained. "Just hit all the checkpoints and nine holes Tuesday and Wednesday. That's what I did -- I think I went 18, 18, 9, 9, 9, and I didn't feel worn out even at Chambers Bay. Oakmont is an easier walk.
"When you get to Tuesday, Wednesday of the U.S. Open, large galleries, and it's just kind of craziness. So it's nice if you're not there quite as long as you feel like you've still got all the checkpoints marked. So that's the plan."