So close, but Spieth's Grand Slam dream dies at St Andrews

Jordan Spieth of the U.S. wipes his eye on the 18th green after completing his final round of the British Open golf championship on the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland, July 20, 2015. REUTERS/Lee Smith

ST ANDREWS, Scotland (Reuters) - When American Jordan Spieth sent his ball across the 16th green at St Andrews on Monday and seconds later watched it vanish into the hole 40 feet away it seemed the golfing Gods were smiling on him.

As the challengers for the 144th British Open faltered one by one the history-seeking Texan moved level with leaders Zach Johnson and Marc Leishman and he could almost smell the polish on the old Claret Jug.