Jordan Spieth inspired to Open win after being told by caddie he belongs in same league as Michael Jordan and Michael Phelps

JORDAN SPIETH was inspired to his Open win after being told he belongs in the same league as sporting legends Michael Jordan and Michael Phelps.

The three-time Major winner posed for a photo with the basketball and swimming superstars on a recent holiday in Mexico.

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And it was caddie Michael Greller who told Spieth he is on a par with them after his man’s shocking start to the final round at Royal Birkdale.

Spieth, who won his first Claret Jug by three shots from Matt Kuchar, said: “Michael did a great thing. He said, ‘Do you remember that group you were with in Cabo last week?’

“He goes, ‘You belong in that group’. This was on seven tee box. He made me come back.

“He goes, ‘Remember that group you were with? You’re that calibre of an athlete.

“But I need you to believe that right now. You’re in a great position in this tournament’.

“I thought about what he was saying over those key three to four footers I made on seven, eight, 11 and 12.

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"For the way it was looking those weren't easy. All of a sudden the lid came off and the 30-footers were two-footers to me.

"I don't know why I can't make it a little bit more boring sometimes.

"Michael Jordan and Michael Phelps are the greatest to do what they did. I don't think I am but even the slightest bit of belief makes you so much more confident.

"I'll never forget the significance of Michael telling me that."

Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time with 23 gold medals and Jordan is regarded as the greatest to ever play basketball.

Spieth admitted he "got away with murder" after a wild drive on the 13th led to an unplayable drop and a shot from the driving range.

But he bounced back with a birdie-eagle-birdie-birdie run from the 14th to put his name in the history books.