Jordan Spieth's Hopes for a Career Grand Slam Take a Dirty Turn Ahead of PGA Championship
"PGA Championship thwarts Jordan Spieth's discussion-restricted roster"
Things aren't looking too dirty for Jordan Spieth's quest to join golf legends Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in completing the Career Grand Slam. The American needs the US PGA title to achieve this elusive feat, but Mother Nature's been plotting against him, leaving his golf balls covered in muck.
As golf enthusiasts gear up for the PGA Championship at the soggy Quail Hollow, the pesky weather has everyone grumbling, with players needing to endure the sloppy conditions. In regular PGA Tour events, players can lift, clean, and place their balls in the fairway when there's too much mud. But not this time, as the PGA of America has decided to stick to traditional practices, refusing to allow preferred lies during the PGA Championship.
The weather, however, is expected to work in Rory McIlroy's favor, leaving his rivals like Spieth frustrated. With mud balls affecting play significantly on several holes, the three-time major champion lamented the rule, arguing that it could make a difference in scores.
Speaking candidly after the Masters tournament, Spieth bemoaned the fact that players are not supposed to talk about the issue. "It's just so frustrating because you can't talk about them," he said, "It's a difference maker. It can be a difference maker in scores on some holes." Spieth believes everyone is dealing with the issue on the course, and it would be helpful if players could discuss it to devise strategies.
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He suggested the PGA Championship could consider implementing lift, clean, and place in rare situations where mud balls jeopardize fairness, like during poor weather conditions. Fellow golfers Curtis Strange and Scottie Scheffler have also expressed their concerns, suggesting the rule could be revisited in future.
In the 2016 PGA Championship, the PGA of America did allow preferred lies during the final round when weather conditions were dreadful, but the decision was met with strong criticism from golf purists. This year, however, it appears the executive committee is adamant that the conditions at Quail Hollow are perfect, even though the weather forecast for the coming week anticipates more rain.
Despite the weather setbacks and the PGA of America's uncompromising stance, Jordan Spieth is not giving up hope. The other majors also follow the traditional rules, but the PGA Championship has shown a willingness to think outside the box in the past, granting players lift, clean, and place during the 2016 tournament. If the weather at Quail Hollow worsens significantly, who knows? The PGA Championship might just break the status quo once more.
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Sources
- PGA Championship rules, lift, clean and place: When are preferred lies allowed? | GolfDigest
- PGA Championship 2023: Lift, Clean and Place Rule Changes Solution to Muddy Quail Hollow Course? | golfweek.com
- Given the predicted rain during the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, some golf enthusiasts might consider placing a betting wager on Rory McIlroy, given his potential advantage with cleaner golf balls under traditional scoring rules.
- Despite the PGA of America's decision to maintain traditional practices during the PGA Championship, Jordan Spieth's camp has suggested that, in extreme weather conditions, the tournament might consider implementing a 'lift, clean, and place' rule to ensure fairness for all players.
