Spieth: I’m ready for Grand Slam challenge

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bruced
August 9, 2017

Jordan Spieth believes his double-major winning 2015 prepared him to cope with the pressure as he attempts to become the youngest ever winner of a career grand slam.

Spieth won the British Open last month to add to his 2015 Masters and US Open wins, giving him the chance to beat Tiger Woods’ record as the youngest player to win all of golf’s four major titles at this week's US PGA Championship.

The Texan, who turned 24 two weeks ago, is a full six months younger than Woods when he completed his career slam at the 2000 Open at St Andrews.

Only five players have ever achieved the golfing landmark: Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen.

He is certainly being backed to pull off the feat in the Golf Betting stakes, as he is the firm favourite for the title.

Asked about his chances at North Carolina's Quail Hollow this week, Spieth said he'll use what he learned after winning the first two majors of the year in 2015.

"It will be pretty similar; back then I felt the way I feel right now. Going into St Andrews, there was plenty of chatter about it," said Spieth.

Even if he misses out this time, Spieth said he will have plenty more chances to claim the last piece of the major puzzle.

"If I'm healthy and playing well, I'll play in 30 (PGA Championships). It doesn't have to be this year. If it happens this year, that's great and it's another lifelong goal I've achieved.

One player who could get in the way of Spieth's quest for the record is world number four and four-time major winner Rory McIlroy.

The Northern Irishman said he believes that the short time since Spieth’s amazing comeback win at Royal Birkdale will give him momentum coming into Quail Hollow.

"When I won (the PGA) at Valhalla in 2014, having that long wait until the Masters in 2015 felt like a very long time. It plays on your mind a little bit. I think that's where Jordan doesn't have to deal with that," said McIlroy.

Jordan Spieth PGA Championship