Jordan Spieth is back on the PGA Championship stage with the same unfinished business that has followed him for nearly a decade. The Wanamaker Trophy is the only silverware missing from his cabinet.
He arrives at Aronimink for his 10th crack at golf’s most elusive club. The 32-year-old will be teeing off alongside the likes of Rory McIlroy, who has already completed the modern career Grand Slam by winning the 2025 Masters and then successfully defending his Green Jacket in 2026. But Spieth believes his feat will be nothing like McIlroy’s.
“My situation was certainly different than his at Augusta,” The three-time major champion said. “I think that was unique to him, which is why we probably didn’t see that kind of reaction with any of the other six or seven guys that have ever done it.”
McIlroy has come close to the trophy at Augusta several times before ultimately winning it last year, but it has been a long time since Spieth felt that he could compete. He just wants to get back to that level.
GettyRory McIlroy celebrates winning the 2026 Masters Tournament.
“Rory’s was obviously a very unique final round, and then 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. I feel like I’m close to being able to go back to doing that again, so I just want to give myself a chance.”
What Exactly Does Jordan Spieth Mean?
Spieth owns the 2015 Masters, 2015 U.S. Open and 2017 Open Championship, but he has not won on Tour since the 2022 RBC Heritage. His last of 13 PGA Tour victories came four years ago. At the PGA Championship specifically, his record is uneven. Second in 2015, third in 2019 and no other top-10 in 12 tries.
This screams the profile of a player who was at the peak of his game but suddenly lost it all and since then has been endlessly trying to find it again.
What A Win at Aronimink Will Mean to Jordan Spieth?
“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,
If Spieth wins, he would become the seventh player in the modern men’s game to complete the career Grand Slam, moving into a club that already includes Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and McIlroy.
“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,” Spieth said. “It’d be amazing because it’s just a very short list in history. At the same time, winning the PGA Championship in itself is very special.”
Spieth has also said the PGA Championship matters to him for reasons beyond history.
“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 are many reasons, but obviously, with having won the other three, that’s the one that everyone focuses on.”
Jordan Spieth Reveals Why His Grand Slam Pursuit Isn’t Like Rory McIlroy’s