TROON, Scotland _ When the British Open comes to Royal Troon, golf dominates thought and conversation in this town of 15,000 in remote southwest Scotland.
And as Jordan Spieth noted Sunday, any time he plays in a major, overseas or not, he usually shuts off his cellphone to focus on golf.
Factor in the six-hour time difference, and it isn't surprising that Spieth had not seen the images of miles-long funeral processions and heart-wrenching memorial services for the five police officers who were killed in his hometown of Dallas on July 7, after a peaceful protest.
That night, Spieth watched coverage of the horrific events at home in Dallas after returning from dinner. The next day, he traveled to Scotland to prepare for the British Open. After arriving, he told The Dallas Morning News he was anxious to find out if there was any way to help the officers' families.
After Spieth shot 3-under 68 Sunday to finish his otherwise disappointing British Open on an upbeat note, he got emotional when asked what it will be like to return to a still grieving Dallas.
"I'm interested, like we had talked about prior, to finding out any way that I can possibly help when I get home, whether it's financially or whatever it may be," he said.
"Because, yeah, it was tough leaving the day after that. A really sad day for our city and one that we wouldn't expect in the city of Dallas. It's a pretty likable city with people who seem to get along, and it was just a tough night."
Spieth wasn't scheduled to return to Dallas until Monday. He said he will take Tuesday and possibly Wednesday off from golf, but he has little turnaround time before leaving for Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey for the July 28-31 PGA Championship.
That championship begins the day after Spieth's 23rd birthday.
