Golf star Jordan Spieth aims for career Grand Slam; speculation arises over Rory McIlroy's potential Grand Slam run among competitors
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Jordan Spieth, a 31-year-old American golfing phenomenon, bagged the Masters and US Open titles back in 2015 and the British Open in 2017, marking three major victories under his belt. Yet, the quest for a career Grand Slam propels him into his ninth attempt this time, eager to clinch his first win since the 2022 PGA Heritage tournament.
The drought Spieth endures resembles McIlroy's, who managed to conquer the career Slam at Augusta National, his first major victory since 2014, after agonizing ten times.
" hadn't been an easy week, perhaps tougher than any Masters hopeful ever faced. Yet, he nailed it," Spieth acknowledged McIlroy's triumph. "To be that distant from his most recent major win and then to claim victory, it was truly inspiring."
Spieth underwent a left wrist surgery in August last year, but he displayed his prowess last week at the Byron Nelson, firing an impressive 62 in the final round. He'll resume his chase on the Quail Hollow layout, where he placed 28th during his first crack at the career Slam in 2017.
Since his last major win in 2017, Spieth has notched five top-four finishes in major tournaments, including a joint third-place finish at the 2019 PGA Championship at Bethpage Black.
Mastering an elusive career Grand Slam requires tackling a different course each year, a challenge that McIlroy didn't have at Augusta National, remarked McIlroy.
"I believe Jordan faces an added difficulty since he has to return to various courses each year, unlike my case," McIlroy said. "It's a different beast, and you can't help but feel the weight of history bearing down on you, making every attempt to convert a regular victory into a part of history."
There's a faint possibility of McIlroy completing an unofficial 'Rory Slam', adding the PGA, US Open, and British Open to his list of victories, including the 2025 Pebble Beach, The Players Championship, and the Masters.
Ranked second in the world, McIlroy has clinched four victories at Quail Hollow in PGA Tour events. He was the runner-up at the 2023 and 2024 US Opens, and this year's Claret Jug is set to be decided at Portrush, a Northern Ireland course McIlroy knows intimately.
"Going back to Portrush will be an extraordinary experience, especially with McIlroy returning as the Masters champion this year," said Ireland's Shane Lowry, the 2019 British Open champion at Portrush.
Justin Thomas, a double PGA Championship winner who claimed his first major title at Quail Hollow, believes McIlroy could be on the verge of a major run after his Masters triumph.
"Rory has been on a strong roll this year, even before the Masters," Thomas commented. "I suppose if we're talking about a 'big run' in terms of more major titles or tournament wins, he's played incredible golf throughout the season."
Thomas draws motivation from McIlroy's Masters victory, hopeful that it will rally the pack and lead to more exciting showdowns.
"Rory bagging the career Grand Slam was an awesome sight," Thomas shared. "If we all keep our game sharp and continue to compete in these big events, let's hope for more thrilling battles."
Last year's PGA Championship and British Open winner, Xander Schauffele, feels the career Grand Slam is a formidable achievement, a title he doesn't feel close to achieving yet.
"Realizing the magnitude of the task ever so clearly," Schauffele acknowledged. "Placing oneself in that position would be magnificent. I'm further away than some, but I still have a ways to go. I should say, before I can be considered a contender, I must win another major."
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- Despite the challenges he faced in 2015, Jordan Spieth aims to emulate Rory McIlroy's feat by completing his career Grand Slam in golf, starting with the 2025 PGA tournament.
- Shane Lowry, the 2019 British Open champion and an Irish golfer, finds the upcoming tournament at Portrush particularly exciting, considering Rory McIlroy's Masters win and his personal connection to the course.
- Justin Thomas, a double PGA Championship winner, believes that Rory McIlroy's Masters triumph could signal the start of a productive major championship streak for golfers, including himself, encouraging them to maintain their form and compete fiercely in upcoming tournaments.
