Jordan Spieth’s pursuit of a career Grand Slam is shaping up to be quite different from Rory McIlroy’s experience. McIlroy, who achieved this milestone by winning the 2025 Masters, faced relentless media scrutiny regarding his quest for the Grand Slam for nearly a decade. “It’s very difficult,” he revealed, recalling the burden of expectation and pressure he felt as he watched peers secure major victories.
In contrast, Spieth’s journey began in 2015 when he won the Masters and followed it up with a victory at the U.S. Open, and later claimed the third leg of his Grand Slam at the 2017 Open Championship. The only title he is missing is the PGA Championship, which he will pursue for the ninth time this week at Quail Hollow Club.
Spieth expressed his surprise at the dynamic shift surrounding the Grand Slam discussions, stating that he hasn’t always faced the same level of scrutiny at the PGA Championship prior to this year. “I think if Rory didn’t win, it wouldn’t have been a storyline for me here necessarily,” he noted. Yet, he acknowledged the inspiration he drew from McIlroy’s achievement and expressed his desire to add his name to the exclusive list of Grand Slam winners.
Spieth articulated a strong passion for this particular tournament, emphasizing its importance to him: “If I could only win one tournament for the rest of my life, I’d pick this one.” As he heads into the competition, Spieth appears optimistic and ready to embrace the challenge ahead.
This fresh perspective on Spieth’s journey highlights the individuality of each golfer’s experience in the sport and underscores the pressure and aspirations that accompany major championship play. It will be fascinating to see how he approaches this critical moment in his career.