Title: McIlroy, Mickelson, and Spieth in the Running for Golf's Grand Slam Elite
Mickelson, McIlroy, and Spieth are closing in on joining an exclusive club in golf – they've each won three of the four major championships and are just one tournament away from achieving the Career Grand Slam, a feat only five other players have accomplished in modern golf history.
Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy, with their three major wins apiece, are on the verge of joining the likes of Ben Hogan, Gene Saracen, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tiger Woods as golfing legends who've completed the Career Grand Slam .
Jordan Spieth
At just 27 years old, Spieth already has a stellar golf résumé. In 2017, he added another major to his collection by winning The Open at Royal Birkdale . A triumph at this year's PGA Championship would make him the second-youngest player ever (after Tiger Woods) to hold four major titles before turning 25.
Rory McIlroy
McIlroy has won four major championships, including the U.S. Open (2011), The Open (2014), the PGA Championship (2014), and the PGA Championship (2019) . All he needs is a victory at the Masters to become an official member of the Career Grand Slam club.
Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson, a seasoned veteran of the sport, has already completed the Career Grand Slam by winning six major championships: the Masters (2004, 2006, and 2010), the PGA Championship (2005), the U.S. Open (2004 and 2006), and The Open (2013) .
As Spieth continues his chase for the PGA Championship title this year, McIlroy eyes his chance at The Masters, and Mickelson searches for his elusive sixth U.S. Open title, the world waits with bated breath to see which of these golfing giants will secure their place in golfing history.
A Brief Look at Golf's Grand Slam Champions
Gene Saracen (1935)
Gene Saracen's win at the 1935 Masters was his third major title . He kicked off his career by winning the 1922 U.S. Open and the PGA Championship back-to-back at the ripe age of 20, while his fourth major win came at the 1932 British Open .
Ben Hogan (1953)
Hailing from Texas, Ben Hogan won his first major, the 1946 U.S. Open, at the age of 34 . His passion for the sport never wavered, and after surviving a near-fatal car accident in 1949, he continued his remarkable career with two more U.S. Open victories, two British Opens, and a Masters Championship. In 1953, he completed the Career Grand Slam .
Gary Player (1965)
South African-born Gary Player joined the circle of grand-slam achievers by capturing the 1965 U.S. Open, his fourth career major . He went on to win the Masters Tournament eights times, as well as two British Opens and three PGA Championships. Despite his legendary status, Player is the only non-American to have won a major championship in golf .
Conclusion
As Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, and Phil Mickelson vie for their chances at golf's most prestigious titles, the world watches eagerly to see who will write the next chapter in the annals of golfing greatness.
