Jordan Spieth has a chance to follow Rory McIlroy in completing a career Grand Slam when the US PGA Championship gets underway but the American offered a telling assessment
Rory McIlroy put his faith in Jordan Spieth joining him in the elite group of career Grand Slam winners but the American wasn’t so sure. For starters, the upcoming US PGA takes place at one of McIlroy’s favourite venues – and Spieth himself made a point of recognising as much.
McIlroy ended a long and frustrating wait to complete the set of golf’s majors when he won the Masters in April. The triumph was his fifth major win, but a first in more than a decade after a number of near-misses.
According to Golf.com, as Spieth and McIlroy geared up for the US PGA at Quail Hollow, the American congratulated the Northern Irishman on his achievement. McIlroy suggested it would be Spieth’s turn next week, only for the 31-year-old to reply: “Yeah, at Rory McIlroy Country Club…”.
McIlroy has won four times at the venue in Colorado. The first victory was also his first on the PGA Tourback in 2010, and he also claimed victory in 2015, 2021 and 2024.
The 36-year-old is a two-time US PGA winner, claiming glory in 2012 and 2014. And the course gives him a chance of winning his third after a wait of more than a decade.
Spieth, like McIlroy, won three of the four majors in quick succession but has been made to wait for that elusive fourth. He won the Masters and US Open in 2015, followed by the Open at Royal Birkdale in 2017, but his best US PGA finish came when Jason Day held off his challenge to triumph in 2015.
“I think any time somebody has beaten any of us out here, I think we’re all, you could say inspired, but I think we’re all fired up to come out here and compete,” Scheffler said. “I think that’s what’s great about our game. Week in and week out, we get to come out here and compete. This week I was the best player. I have the week off, and we’ll see the week after who is the best player at the PGA.
“Rory has been playing some tremendous golf this year. The career Grand Slam was really special to watch. I was glad to be able to be there for it. I think any time you’re getting beat, you’re always fired up just a little bit extra to go out and practice.”
