Jordan Spieth looking to complete the grand slam at the PGA Championship

Paddy Morgan takes a look back at Jordan Spieth wins over the years and looks at his chances for the second major of 2023 at Oak Hill East Course which starts on Thursday 18th May 2023.

Jordan Spieth is a professional golfer from Texas, America and turned pro in 2012. It was confirmed in January 2013 that Under Armour would be a sponsor for Spieth and Under Armour still remain one of Spieth’s main sponsors to this present day. Spieth won his first PGA Tour event at the John Deere Classic in 2013. The American became the youngest player at 19 to win a PGA Tour event in 82 years.

Spieth announced himself on the world stage as he finished tied second at 2014 Masters at Augusta. Spieth equalled Tiger Woods 1997 lowest scoring record as the Texan won his first major at Augusta in 2015. Following Spieth’s win at Augusta it didn’t take long for his second major win as the Texan was the victor at the US Open which took place at Chambers Bay in June 2015. He wasn’t finished in the majors as Spieth finished tied fourth in The Open and settled for a runner up position behind winner Jason Day at PGA Championship. Spieth’s putting was amazing in 2015 as he reached number one in the world golf rankings and won the FedEx Cup at East Lake.

It looked like Spieth was going to win at Augusta for a second year in a row in 2016 until he put his tee shot into the water at the par three 12th hole. Spieth had a meltdown in the final round of 2016 Masters as he dropped six shots in the last seven holes. It took a while for Spieth to get over his collapse but was in contention with one round to go at The Open in 2017. After 20 minutes of discussion Spieth took an unplayable lie and went back 100 yards to drop his ball which resulted in him making a remarkable bogey on the 13th hole at Royal Birkdale. Spieth made an eagle and three birdies in the last five holes as he won his third major at Royal Birkdale in 2017.

Spieth missed the cut four times on the PGA Tour 2017/2018 season but managed to finish third at The Masters. His best finish in 2018/2019 season was a tied third finish at PGA Championship. 2019/2020 was one of Spieth’s worst years on the PGA Tour as he didn’t manage a top ten. The American returned to form in 2020/2021 season as he finished second twice at The Open Championship and Charles Schwab Challenge.

Spieth had a successful 2021/2022 PGA Tour season which included beating Patrick Cantlay in a play-off to win the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town. In the lead up to 2023 Masters Spieth had two great opportunities to win at both the Arnold Palmer Invitational and Valspar Championship but had to settle for two top five finishes. Spieth’s love for Augusta continued in 2023 as he shot a final round of 66 to finish in a tie for fourth.

RBC Heritage became a designated event for 2023 with the prize money for the event been $20,000,000. Spieth was very impressive at Harbour Town as he shot two rounds of 66 in round three and four. Those two rounds entered Spieth into a play-off with 2022 US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick. Spieth had a couple of putts for a win throughout the play-off but Fitzpatrick won 2023 RBC Heritage after a incredible nine iron at the third play-off hole.

Oak Hill East Course is the venue for 2023 PGA Championship. Spieth is looking to win the grand slam of majors and become the sixth player to win all four majors. Oak Hill will host the PGA Championship for the first time in 10 years since 2013 were Jason Dufner won with a score of 10 under for four rounds. Spieth played in 2013 edition but missed the halfway cut. Spieth’s game is starting to come good but needs to tidy up his short putting and get rid of the bad swings which has costed him big numbers in previous events.

Spieth is a great competitor and loves a challenge which is something that you need to be good at to win a major. PGA Championship will be an examination especially at Oak Hill but I wouldn’t be surprised if Spieth was up there with a round to go.

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