Jordan Spieth arrives at Southern Hill Country Club this week targeting a slice of history with a victory at the PGA Championship putting the Texan alongside esteemed company by winning the career Grand Slam.
Spieth, who is attempting the feat for the sixth time, would join Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only players to win all four of golf’s Major Championships.
According to the man himself, this could well be Spieth’s best opportunity to join golf’s most elite club.
“I think on paper, yes, just given grass types, winds are more similar to what I’m used to at home, and it’s about as close to home as we get for a PGA, at least until we go to Frisco,” said Spieth earlier this year.
“It’ll be by far the closest PGA I’ve played to home, and the best chances I’ve had are when courses are played with wind and firmer conditions at PGA Championships. I remember the course being way too big for me at 14 years old. Hopefully I feel a little differently going back.”
As well as the course conditions suiting him, Spieth also comes into the tournament on some red hot form having only been beaten by one player in his two appearances since the Masters. The 28-year-old tasted victory for the second consecutive Easter Sunday at last month’s RBC Heritage at Harbour Town before finishing second to Kyoung-Hoon Lee at the Byron Nelson last week.
On both occasions, Spieth was in superb form from tee-to-green, leading the field at Harbour Town and ranking second back home in Texas at TPC Craig Ranch.
With the victory at the Byron Nelson, he earned $1,440,000, which pushed him past $50 million in career earnings, lifting him to $50,578,855. Just 10 other tour pros have broken the $50 million barrier.
Spieth sits just over $2.8 million behind Sergio Garcia. A win at Southern Hills would certainly see him close that gap while becoming just the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam.
