Gary Player issues Jordan Spieth verdict ahead of career Grand Slam bid

Gary Player believes Jordan Spieth can return to world number one and complete the career Grand Slam — but only if he “reconnects with his fundamentals.”

Spieth, 32, heads into this week’s PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club with the chance to become just the seventh player in history to complete the career Grand Slam, joining Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

Spieth won both The Masters and U.S. Open in 2015 before landing The Open in 2017. 

Despite chalking up five top-20 finishes on the PGA Tour so far this season, you have to go all the way back to last June for Spieth's last top 10 and to April 2022 for his last victory on the circuit at the RBC Heritage. 

Player, who won the 1962 PGA Championship at Aronimink, believes three-time major winner Spieth still has all the tools to rediscover his best golf, despite looking on from the 51st rung of the world ladder on the eve of golf's second major of the season. 

“Jordan has the talent to return to world number one. He simply needs to reconnect with his fundamentals,” said nine-time major champion Player, a Rolex Testimonee. 

“Scottie [Scheffler], right now, is the best player in the world, without question. He has complete confidence and exceptional manners, which I admired greatly last year during The Ryder Cup.

“Achievements like the Grand Slam require patience, humility and belief. Both Jordan and Scottie have shown they possess those attributes. It would be wonderful to see one of them achieve it.”

World number one Scottie Scheffler arrives at Aronimink as defending champion and is targeting a fifth major title. 

As Player highlights, Scheffler will also have the opportunity to complete the career Grand Slam at next month’s US Open at Shinnecock Hills. The final round of the US Open will perhaps rather fittingly fall on Scheffler's 30th birthday. 

Rolex Testimonees who have won the PGA Championship

The PGA Championship returns to Aronimink this week for the first time since Player’s victory there more than six decades ago.

Originally founded in 1896, the Donald Ross-designed layout officially opened in 1928 and has since undergone extensive restoration work. 

Ron Pritchard restored the course in the late 1990s before architect and Rolex Testimonee Gil Hanse led further renovations ahead of the 2018 BMW Championship, including the restoration of nearly 100 bunkers using historic photographs of the property.

Aronimink will play as a par 70 measuring 7,394 yards, with Hanse expecting the course to provide a complete test for the world’s best players.

“The architecture at a major championship is always strong and a golfer can rarely overpower a golf course,” said Hanse.

“The players need every skill and attribute to succeed in a major examination. These golf courses are generally designed by the best architects of all time. 

“Major championship golf courses tend to have a wonderful scale and Aronimink fits this with its beautiful landscape. 

“Playability is critical and it is the most crucial part of the challenge, but the presentation of these golf courses always provides a grand stage.”

Hanse also spoke about the importance of precision and craftsmanship during the restoration process.

“The final surface of a course is what the golfer is going to see and recognize,” said Hanse.

“I believe that if you’re going to be the best in your field, you’re going to have to work hard, and provide quality and attention to detail. 

“There have been so many brilliant creative minds in golf course architecture throughout history. High levels of craftmanship and the ability to produce the best results is what we work hard to achieve.”

Player, 90, also reflected on his special connection to Aronimink after recently becoming an honorary member at the club.

“Aronimink is a club rich in history, character and class,” said Player, who etched his name on the Wanamaker Trophy at Aronimink in 1962. 

“It is also a phenomenal golf course and one that deserves even greater recognition. It was deeply moving [to be made an honorary member]. 

“With my daughter living nearby, it feels even more special because I am able to visit every so often. 

“To have a room named in my honour there is something I will cherish forever.”