With his epic come from behind victory at last week’s Open Championship, Jordan Spieth moved one step closer to completing golf’s career Grand Slam, joining five other players; Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
The 23-year old joined Jack Nicklaus as the quickest to win the first three legs of the majors and can seal the deal in two weeks at the PGA Championship where he will be one of the betting favorites.
In the process, Spieth becomes one of only ten players in the history of golf to complete three legs of the Grand Slam. Now all he needs is the PGA Championship which takes place August 10-13 at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina.
There are seven former players that came up one major short of closing the deal on their career Grand Slams.
The great Arnold Palmer won seven major titles, but never won the PGA Championship. He came close three times - 1964, 1968 and 1970.
Slammin Sammy Snead won a record 82 PGA Tour events, including seven majors, but failed to win the U.S. Open. Can anyone say Phil Mickelson. Snead finished runner-up four times. In 1947 he lost an 18-hole playoff to a guy named Lew Worsham.
Two players, Raymond Floyd and Byron Nelson, failed to win the British Open. Floyd’s best chance was in 1978 at St. Andrews where he finished runner-up to Jack Nicklaus. Nelson collected five major titles before retiring at the age of 34.
The toughest major to win is the Masters Tournament. Hello Rory McIlroy! Walter Hagan, Lee Trevino and Tommy Armour all won multiple major championships, but never donned the Green Jacket.
Currently, there are two other active players that need one more leg to complete the career Grand Slam. Let’s see how Spieth stacks up against them and discuss who has the best chance to do it first.
Phil Mickelson: Lefty has five majors in all, but never has won the U.S. Open where he’s finished second a record six times. Time is running out with maybe three or four more good chances, but don’t count him out just yet!
Rory McIlroy: After winning the 2014 Open Championship, it appeared he was on his way with only the Masters Tournament to win to complete the modern day Grand Slam. He’s had three starts to do it, but is still searching for his first Green Jacket. The 28-year old may get a little motivation from Spieth and we may see McIlroy and Spieth battling it out in the next five years or so, that is, if Rory doesn’t get bored. McIlroy wins two more majors, but fails to win at Augusta!
Jordan Spieth: The way this kid fights and competes, he may win two career Grand Slams. He’s honest and open and has nothing to hide. He’s faced humility, he’s faced adversity and all he does is win. Everyone knows, a player like Spieth comes along every 20 years, so let’s enjoy the ride and see how many he can put in the win column. My guess is at least ten!
Spieth, obviously has the first crack at it, then McIlroy next April at the Masters Tournament. The venue in two weeks at the PGA Championship favors the long hitters, something Spieth is not and Mcilroy has yet to figure out the greens at Augusta. It’s a very long shot, but Mickelson could actually seal the deal before the other two - it’s the game of golf and anything can happen.
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