“If I could only win one tournament for the rest of my life, I’d pick this one for that reason,” Jordan Spieth responded to a question concerning the PGA Championship without hesitation. A recurring topic of discussion revolves around the three-time major champion as the 2025 edition gets underway at Quail Hollow. Since winning the 2017 Open Championship, Spieth has been attempting to complete the career Grand Slam, the rarest jigsaw in golf. In recent years, the commotion around his quest had subsided—until now. The reasons this is garnering so much attention are that Rory McIlroy just did a fantastic job at Augusta, and Spieth is in good condition, is focused, and is displaying some of his former greatness. Now that everyone is still thinking about McIlroy’s victory and Spieth is taking a course he is familiar with, the question is not if he can win, but why not now?

The Grand Slam question: Spieth’s reflections and aspirations

Following Rory McIlroy’s Grand Slam victory last month, which ended his Augusta curse, the attention surrounding Jordan Spieth has grown. The issue that has plagued Spieth’s career for years was asked during his pre-tournament news conference: “Since the Masters, have you found yourself thinking more about the Grand Slam than you might have in previous years?” The attention took Spieth by surprise, he said. “There’s been a number of years I’ve come to the PGA, and no one’s really asked me about it. There’s been some years where it was a storyline, I guess.”

However, in 2025, things are different. The Grand Slam discussion has been rekindled by McIlroy’s dramatic victory at Augusta, which has also placed Spieth under further scrutiny. Spieth couldn’t resist taking inspiration as he watched Rory’s cathartic victory. “You could tell it was a harder win than most of the time; he makes it look a lot easier.” Spieth acknowledged the enormous weight McIlroy had shed—and the one he now bears himself—and stated, “That was obviously at the forefront of his mind.”After winning, Rory’s champion walk to the clubhouse looked like that of a relaxed mind. You know, like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders.

Spieth reflected on his previous opportunities and said he was surprised by how little talk of the Grand Slam had been heard, even when he entered the PGA Championship fresh off consecutive top finishes, such as in 2022. It is now hard to ignore the plot. He stated, “It’s always circled on the calendar.” For Spieth, this is the one major, not just another. By adopting that attitude, Spieth is not only teeing it up this week but also teeing up history.

Ninth time’s the charm? Jordan Spieth’s latest bid for the Grand Slam

Jordan Spieth, 31, is attempting to complete the career Grand Slam at the PGA Championship for the ninth time. It has only been accomplished by six golfers: Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen, and now Rory McIlroy. Spieth is more driven than ever to join that exclusive group and is well aware of the stakes.

Spieth has subtly improved his form this season. He finished solidly in 14th place at the Masters and has three top-10 performances in 11 competitions. He feels at ease at Quail Hollow, a course that fits his style and where he has previously displayed bursts of genius. More importantly, he is no longer limited by his left wrist, which was a persistent issue that necessitated surgery in August of last year. Although he acknowledged that the discomfort had persisted for years, he can now play without worrying about getting hurt again.

Spieth is aware of the significance of this week as Sunday approaches. “I would really like to put myself forward and give it a shot this weekend,” he stated. With golf’s most significant prize within grasp, Jordan Spieth is again the center of attention.