As the PGA Championship approaches, one question that follows Jordan Spieth every time is about the Grand Slam. Until 2025, Rory McIlroy had to face a similar question before the Masters. But now Spieth is among the few modern-day golfers still chasing that final piece. You might expect him to be tired of facing that question, but he wasn’t. Instead, he offered a very thoughtful answer at the 108th PGA Championship press conference.

When asked about how much he thinks about it, the three-time major winner said, “So as far as the career Grand Slam, this tournament’s always highlighted. If I can win one more tournament in my life, it would obviously be this one for that reason. But the easiest way to do that is to not try to, in a weird way, you know [think about winning the PGA Championship]. ”

So Spieth would love to win, but he also knows thinking too much about that will affect his game. This approach matters when you look at what this tournament has actually done to him. He was runner-up at Whistling Straits in 2015. His only other top-10 was a T3 at Bethpage Black in 2019. After that, five straight finishes outside the top 25, including a missed cut last year. This is his 10th attempt at a Grand Slam, and the PGA Championship never quite favored him the way the Masters, U.S. Open, and Open Championship did. Interestingly, Grand Slam aside, Spieth revealed one more reason he would love to win this major.

“Just winning this tournament in general would be very special. The Ryder Cup’s been such an important part of my life, and The PGA of America, having my instructor that I’ve been with for pretty much my whole career be a PGA of America professional, so there’s [sic!] many reasons,” explained Jordan Spieth, who won’t treat this week any differently than other weeks. Rory McIlroy would approve of that.

The Ulsterman is the only person alive who fully understands the weight of what Spieth is carrying into Aronimink. In 2016, both men arrived at Augusta with everything on the line. Rory was chasing the career Grand Slam; Spieth was defending his Masters title. Neither got what they came for. Rory stumbled, Spieth suffered his infamous back-nine collapse on the 12th hole, and Augusta left both scarred in ways that took years to heal.

McIlroy, since then, has taken multiple different approaches to win the elusive Green Jacket. He tinkered with his schedule, how he practiced,  and everything that could be done. He failed. Eventually, McIlroy let his mind be free of the thought and conquered Augusta in 2025 and again in 2026. Spieth is yet to replicate what the Ulsterman has done, but the shared experience has created a connection that goes beyond mutual respect between rivals.

For Spieth, winning a Grand Slam “would be amazing because it’s just a very, very short list in history.” Only six men have completed a Grand Slam, with McIlroy being the last one. But when asked whether his emotional release would mirror McIlroy’s, Spieth separated himself clearly:

“I don’t think so. My situation was certainly different than his. That was unique to him.”

Spieth acknowledged that McIlroy’s persistence showed it can eventually pay off. For someone who has had three top-12 finishes in 2026 but hasn’t won since the 2022 RBC Heritage, that belief is what keeps the pursuit alive rather than exhausting. The 32-year-old’s approach to the week itself reveals just as much about him.

How Jordan Spieth prepares differently now

Three weeks in a row change everything. Spieth admitted he didn’t arrive at Aronimink early, and with back-to-back tournaments already in his legs, he didn’t think it would’ve helped much anyway. He understands that energy conservation at a major is half the battle before a shot is even hit.

His preparation has shifted from logging hours on the range to understanding where pins will sit, which flags to attack, and which ones to respect. This shift isn’t just about age; it’s his experience telling him what actually moves the needle on Sunday.

“It’s really more methodical now where it used to be hours and hours. It’s not just an age thing. It’s more just like recognizing that major weeks can feel really long, and you want to feel your best when you wake up Sunday morning. Part of it is energy conservation and figuring out how to attack the course. As far as the reps go, if you’re not ready by now after the last couple of weeks, you can’t really cram for the test at a major,” Spieth said.

For a player chasing the Grand Slam, that discipline is telling. Nine-time major champion Gary Player, who won the 1962 PGA Championship at Aronimink, believes Spieth just needs to “reconnect with his fundamentals” to get there.

Jordan Spieth isn’t treating this week like a scramble. He’s treating it like a test he’s been quietly studying for years, one that just hasn’t delivered the right result yet.