Jordan Spieth sets himself apart from Rory McIlroy in PGA Championship grand slam talk

Jordan Spieth says his situation is "completely different" to Rory McIlroy's pursuit of the career grand slam as he outlined his hopes of joining the Northern Irishman in the history books. 

McIlroy became only the sixth golfer in history to win all for men's major championships with his Masters victory in April 2025. 

Spieth needs to win the PGA Championship to join McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan and Gary Player in the exclusive club. 

He will get his 10th attempt of completing the slam underway on Thursday at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania. 

He told reporters that he doesn't believe seeing the relief pour out of McIlroy two years ago will help him. 

"My situation was certainly different than his at Augusta, so I think that was unique to him," said Spieth.  

"You probably didn't see that kind of reaction with the, what, other six or seven guys that have ever done it. 

"And again, I don't have video proof of when they won, so you'd have to fact-check me big time on that one.

"Rory's was obviously a very unique final round and his history of having led there and stuff like that, so I don't think it would feel similar. 

"I went on a run of feeling like I was contending or having a good chance of contending at every major for a number of years and then it was periodic, and I feel like I'm close to being able to go back to doing that again."

Spieth, 32, has not really come close to completing the slam. 

The closest he came to getting it done was when the American finished in a tie for third at Bethpage Black in 2019 when Brooks Koepka won his first PGA Championship. 

He is yet to finish inside the top 25 at the PGA Championship in his past six starts and missed the cut last year at Quail Hollow Club. 

This season, Spieth is yet to register a top-10 finish on the PGA Tour in 12 starts. 

Spieth said the good news this season is that at various stages he's led the field in various statistics. 

But he has been unable to string it all together. "It's a whack-a-mole situation," said Spieth. 

"Because I have had weeks where I'm leading in putting, weeks where I've leading in driving, weeks where I am leading in ball-striking, and then I just haven't been able to kind of put them all together

"So the good news is is within this season I've been able to lead in each, so I should be confident that I have at least each part of the game as a weapon. 

"It's just focusing on the right things, putting it together, limiting the mistakes, and then when something feels a little bit off, managing to be able to shoot a couple under par versus a couple over par."

Spieth added: "Just winning this tournament in general would be very special.

"I've been in contention a couple of times in this tournament. It didn't feel any different than any other majors, so I wouldn't expect to if I get there this week."

The PGA Championship gets underway on Thursday. 

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