Spieth says it's unfair to compare this season to last

Previous major success is now a burden for Jordan Spieth.

Last year's Masters and U.S. Open champ responded to the critics eager to juxtapose his trying 2016 major-championship season to his last one after another round above par at The Open, calling the comparisons unfair.

"It's been tough given I think it's been a solid year and I think, had last year not happened, I'd be having a lot of positive questions," Spieth said, via ESPN.

"Instead, most of the questions I get are comparing to last year and therefore negative because it's not to the same standard.

"So that's almost tough to then convince myself that you're having a good year when the questions I get make me feel like it's not. So that's a bit unfair to me, but don't feel sorry for me. I'll still be OK. But I would appreciate if people would look at the positives over comparing to maybe hopefully what would happen to me a few times in my career a year, like last year.

"It seems a bit unfair at 22 to be expecting something like that all the time."

Spieth has two wins this season, or one less than he had at this time last year. (Sorry, Jordan). But once golfers break into that elite core, they're judged on their performances in majors. So while Spieth may be having a good season, speaking in terms of wins and earnings, his 10 straight rounds failing to break par at majors will continue to sway public perception.